     _____               ______                               ._
     `\`/>`\            /`/` /`__________,.'>___      _____   )~\
       /<`\ `\        /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\     |\./|  / | \
      /< `\`\ `\    /`/` /`   | | |----\ /  | |\ \    | | |././^\ \
 |\__{o}\--`\`\ `\/`/` /`-----| | |-----`------\`\`\--| | |----^ \ \----.
[\\\\\\\{*}==`>      <`=======| | ==============`\`\`\| | |=====\ \ \==-->
 |/~~{o}/-- /`/  /\ \ `\------| | |---------------`\`\\ | |------\ \ \--'
      \<  /`/` /`  `\`\ `\    | | |_____,.'>| | |   `\`\| | /'    \ \ \
       \< /` /`      `\`\ `\  ,/ /^\------> / |/^\|   \ | |/       \/^\\.
      /`/\>/`           `\`\ `\`~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ~~~~~   )^\,\,      '~~~~~
     `~~~~~`             '~~~~~`            `          ~~~~~~

==========================
XENA: THE MEDIA REVIEW #30
==========================
There Can *NEVER* Be Enough Information About XWP!
http://xenafan.com/xmr
P.O. Box 81181, Bakersfield, CA 93308

Xena Media Review (XMR) is a periodic annotated world
press review of reports regarding the internationally
syndicated television show, XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
(1995-2000) and the castmembers, Lucy Lawless and Renee
O'Connor. For a free e-mail subscription send
"subscribe XMR" to ktaborn@lightspeed.net either in the
subject or body of the e-mail. Copyright, legal, and
editorial notices are found at the end of this
newsletter.

Issue No. 30
Release date: 02/15/98
Covering 10/01/96 - 10/15/96
Annotations 533 to 580
1606 subscribers


FROM THE EDITOR: 
   Oops and Hello Again
   A Slight Change of Plans
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
   Farewells Are Always Hard
GUEST EDITORIAL: 
   The Gimme Factor
FEATURES: 
   An Accident Chronology 
   When Fantasy Meets Reality: The Aftermath of Lucy
       Lawless' Accident
ANNOTATIONS
LETTERS
THE BACK PAGE
   Xena Media Review Staff
   Back Issues
   This Week in Xena News
   Reprint Policy
   Solicitations for Future Newsletters
   Disclaimer



===============
FROM THE EDITOR
===============

Oops and Hello Again
---------------------

Dare I say it? I'm the culprit, the ignoramus who
delayed the publication of this issue of Xena Media
Review. It's been three months since XMR #29 flew into
your mail box. Frankly, the only excuses I can give you
are burnout, more burnout and the holidays. Please be
assured that XMR is definitely still in business and
will continue publishing until we run out of things to
say about XENA. (Don't hold your breath on that one.)   

I hope you'll agree with me that the delay has been
worth it. XMR #30 covers the beginning of one of the
most interesting, frightening and important periods in
Xenadom -- the period just before and immediately after
Lucy Lawless' fateful non-appearance on The Jay Leno
show on October 8, 1996. As most folks know, Lawless'
participation in a Jay Leno skit landed her in the
hospital with a fractured pelvis. This issue of XMR
includes news coverage through the period of Lawless'
stay in the hospital.

The accident had a profound effect on the show and
provided some fascinating evidence about the way the
Internet is changing society. In this issue of XMR, we
will tell you what happened and some of what it means.
We will also provide a chronology of events, reprints
of the posts XenaStaff made to the Internet during this
period, and provide never-before released information
about what happened behind the scenes. This information
comes to us from Robert Mellette, a former Xena staffer
who posted as "Xenastaff" and "VCU" on the NetForum.
Many thanks, VCU!

This issue also includes another first -- a guest
editorial. Written by Catherine Wilson, the first
version of "The Gimme Factor" appeared on several Xena
mailing lists. When I read it, I was immediately struck
by Wilson's insights into fan-star interaction. Her
post was extremely controversial on the lists, and I
expect this updated version may generate more
controversy. Whether you agree or disagree with Wilson,
it is clear that her topic of fan expectations is an
important one for all of us to consider.

Also in this issue are Producer Liz Friedman's longest
interview with extensive comments on subtext, Kym
Taborn and Tricia Heintz's incredible discussion of
REMEMBER NOTHING, and critic Weldon Jones' love letter
to XWP in the San Diego Union-Tribune. Today more than
a year later, Jones' article still stands as one of the
clearest explanations of why XWP isn't just another
cheesy action hour.


A Slight Change of Plans
------------------------

It is with the heaviest of hearts that I announce my
departure from XMR. Alas, the demands of my off-line
life are forcing me to give up my work on this
marvelous publication. I am forever indebted to Kym
Taborn for handing her baby, XMR, over to me and then
leaving me alone while I fumbled around looking for
meaning in the media and the Internet. I am also
indebted to Kym for her hard work and her friendship. I
would also like to thank XMR's core of hardy
subscribers for patiently waiting for every issue and
then patiently reading them as they got longer and
longer and longer. As always, I remain a hardcore,
half-insane fan of Xena, and I will remain online. See
you all around the Xenaverse!

Diane Silver
January 12, 1998
Lawrence, Kansas
dswriter@idir.net


========================
FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
========================

Farewells Are Always Hard
-------------------------

I have a few quick things to mention here before
letting this large issue go.

First, this is easily the most emotional, intense, and
most significant XMR that we have ever put together. It
was completed under the hard work and dedication of
editor, Diane Silver. She went above and beyond the
call of duty for this one. This issue covers the Lucy
Lawless accident of October 8, 1996, and covers it in
gut-wrenching detail. It attempts to make sense of what
happened and it does a most amazing job. Diane Silver
uses her journalistic skills to our benefit and
although it is an incredibly large issue, it does
extreme justice to the topic at hand. 

Second, in the bask of Diane Silver's greatest glory
with XMR, I have the task of anouncing that Ms. Silver
will be leaving XMR staff. We have enjoyed having her
and she has made an indelible mark on this publication.
We will miss her and I will miss her. We wish her luck
on her pursuit of happiness and professional
satisfaction. 

Third, this is an incredibly large issue. I apologize,
but this covers the media scene as it was from October
1st to 15th, 1996. This point in time covers the great
leap that XWP made in terms of media exposure. From
this point on, the media game changed drastically.
Basically XWP became a contender and Lucy Lawless
started on the road to being a major media personality.
In the near future, I am anticipating going back to
covering just a week at a time ineach issue of XMR. It
was fun to cover a month over two issue, but the media
coverage is just getting too large at this point. 

Fourth, yeah THREE MONTHS LATE -- I CAN COUNT! XMR is a
great labor of love on my part. Any sane person would
have stopped doing it by now, but I can't. I am
compelled. I have to do it. I am extremely grateful for
all the subscribers to this newsletter. This newsletter
is one of the most anal, obsessive, and pig-headed
things I have done in my life. I have to be honest, I
am scared at my obsessiveness and inability just to say
enough already and move on. But I am more shocked by
how many people subscribe to this thing. I didn't
realize that so many Xenites were into living history
and following bizarre attempts at making sure the
record is straight. The Xena record of all things!!!
Yet, I always come back to my obsession. Thanks for
sharing with me this abnormal behavior. It makes me
feel loved. 

Fifth, I am so insane in not only keeping XMR going,
but I really want to revive THIS WEEK IN XENA NEWS, but
I know I will need help in that! If anyone has any free
time they would like to donate to the TWXN news cause,
write me (ktaborn@lightspeed.net), and you too can join
the exciting world of media Xena sightings (and
citings). 

Sixth, I think that's it! Enjoy the issue. This is a
very unique one and intense one with lots of
information, journalistic analysis, and some historical
ponderings. Again I apologize for the size but it could
not be helped. This thing is weighing in at over 140
pages. I promise after this one, no more marathon
sizes. We will go to weeklong-coverage. Yeah, that's
the ticket!


==================
Guest Editorial
==================

The Gimme Factor
------------------
By Catherine M. Wilson
cmwilson@wildestdreams.org
Copyright 1998 by author

I have been wondering for a while what kind of opinion
Lucy Lawless must have of her fans. We fly all over the
country to see her make a personal appearance on a TV
show, at a theme park or on Broadway.  We sit in the
front rows at Grease or The David Letterman Show or The
View, sporting black t-shirts with her face on them. 
We carp about the fact that she won't send an
autographed picture to everyone who requests one.  We
complain that she is not signing autographs at the
Burbank Convention.

I was one of the fans who flew cross-country to see
Grease, and I will admit to having some second thoughts
when Lucy came out of the theater after knocking
herself out, giving us a great show, only to be mobbed
by folks at the stage door who wanted more. We wanted
autographs. We wanted her to talk to us. We wanted her
to notice us.  We wanted her to recognize us.

I have begun to call this phenomenon The Gimme Factor.
No matter how much Lucy gives us, we want more.  Why? I
believe the answer is that, whatever it is we want, she
doesn't have it to give us.  She's an actor. She is, I
believe, one of those rare actors who brings a
character to life in such a unique and powerful way
that we may mistake the actor for the character she
plays.  We love Xena as Lucy brings her to us on the
screen, but Lucy isn't Xena, and whatever it is that we
take from Lucy's portrayal of Xena, we're not going to
get the same thing from Lucy, and we're mistaken to try
because we are doomed to fail. We will only find Xena
on TV and within ourselves. That's where we should be
looking.

It's easy to allow our love for Xena, our admiration
for her, and our fantasies about her to spill over onto
Lucy, but I think we do ourselves a disservice if we
fail to try to understand the nature of our own
feelings and what we can do about them.  No matter how
many times we worship at Lucy's feet, it will never be
enough.  Lucy has awakened something wonderful in each
of us, but it is within ourselves that we will find the
key to the significance XWP has for us. 

But there's a catch. This requires personal growth, and
personal growth requires a lot of hard work.  It's much
easier to try to get those good feelings from the show,
from Lucy, from going to the cons, from something or
someone outside ourselves. The problem is that when
doing that fails to satisfy us in any deep and
fulfilling way, we may grow angry at the person who has
failed to give us what we want, what we feel we need,
what we feel only that person can give us.  This is the
same principle that applies when we are dependent on a
relationship with a lover or spouse to make us feel OK. 
We may turn on those we say we love when they fail to
make us feel the way we want them to make us feel.  We
may turn on a lover. We may turn on Lucy.  This is why
the fan phenomenon is so scary, and so dangerous.

So what are we to do?  First, let me suggest that we
just give the matter a little thought.  What is it that
we want from Lucy?  Are our expectations realistic? 
What does she have that we want her to give us?  Does
she have it to give?  Can we get those things in a more
legitimate and healthy way? Can we use whatever it is
that we see in the show as an aid to our own personal
growth?  Can we stop expecting somebody else to give us
what we should be learning how to give ourselves?

I have given some thought to these things for myself
and for my own mental health, and I have come up with
what I think is, for me, the healthiest attitude that I
can take toward Lucy.

First, I am immensely grateful to Lucy, both for
bringing Xena to life and for treating her fans,
especially her lesbian fans, with such kindness and
respect.

Second, I admire her talent, and I wish her well in her
career.  I'm glad I saw her in Grease.  I'm glad I
supported her performance, and I'm glad I didn't crowd
the stage door or ask her for her autograph.

Third, Lucy has given me so much that, instead of
asking her for more, I would like to try to give her
something back. I already have her autograph. I got it
at the first Burbank Con, but I went through the
autograph line, not for the autograph, but because I
wanted to thank her for giving us Xena. I'm glad I have
the autograph, primarily because it reminds me of my
encounter with her, but I don't need another one.  If
she ever again signs autographs at a convention (which
is unlikely), I will go through the autograph line, not
to get her autograph (Rest your arm, Lucy.), but to
thank her again.

What else can I give to Lucy?  Her privacy and her
private life, for one thing.  And I can try to put
myself in her place and act in a way that she would not
find offensive or intrusive or excessively or
embarrassingly adoring.  I can refrain from making
demands on her time, which I'm sure she has little 
enough of as it is, and I can wish her well. Probably
the greatest gift I can give to Lucy is not to ask her
for anything more.

I wonder if Lucy's reluctance to sign autographs at the
next convention has to do with her experience at
Grease, where she was constantly mobbed by fans and
asked for autographs, and she can't have failed to
notice that no matter how much she did for her fans,
they were never satisfied.

What if the following scenario had happened when Lucy
was doing Grease? She comes out the stage door after a
show.  No photo flashes go off in her face. No one
shoves anything at her for an autograph.  No one crowds
the barricades.  No one shouts her name. No one throws
anything at her.  Instead, a quiet crowd of respectful
fans applauds her performance.  Instead of the harried
expression I saw on her face, she might treat us to one
of her gorgeous smiles and let us all go home with
something in our hearts that we will find far more
satisfying than a scribbled autograph.

It is, of course, too late to do this after a
performance of Grease, but perhaps it might be
something to remember the next time Lucy spares some of
her precious time for us.


========
Feature
========

An Accident Chronology
------------------------------------
by Diane Silver
dswriter@idir.net
Copyright 1998 by author

This detailed of a chronology might seem excessive even
for a fan publication. However, I decided to do it
after seeing one media report after another make
outrageous errors about the simplest facts. I hope this
will help set the record straight.

OCTOBER 8

*About 3 pm Pacific Time
While filming a Jay Leno skit, Lucy Lawless is injured
when the horse she is riding slips. Several fans
witness the accident, which occurs in the parking lot
of the NBC Studios in Burbank, California.

*About 5:30 pm Pacific Time
Jay Leno tells the audience of his show that Lawless
will not appear, but gives little detail except to say
that she was injured while filming a skit and that she
will recover.

*About 6:30 pm Pacific Time
Executive Producer Rob Tapert and Co-Executive Producer
R.J. Stewart along with other Xena staff members visit
fans at a Burbank restaurant. Tapert says that Lawless'
pelvis is fractured and that she will recover fully.
They say the recovery will take time, but they do not
specify how long.

*About 11 pm Pacific Time
Robert Mellette posts the first notice from a staff
member on the NetForum. Because MCA/Universal has
forbidden staff to post to the NetForum, Mellette says
he risks his job to update fans on Lawless' condition.
Meanwhile, fans who were at the restaurant post reports
of Tapert's comments on the NetForum and mailing lists.
Fans also post their eyewitness accounts of the
accident.

*Throughout the Day
Friends of a NetForum regular nicknamed "Roo" post the
news that Roo has been injured in a car accident and is
in a coma.


OCTOBER 9

*Supervising Producer Steve Sears (Tyldus) posts to the
XenaVerse mailing list about his visit with Lawless in
the hospital. His post is then relayed by fans to other
Xena lists and to the NetForum. Xena Editor Rob Field
(Avicus) also posts and provides fans with a place to
send get-well wishes.

*MCA/Universal issues the first press release on the
accident. The release provides few details and does
little more than repeat Jay Leno's statement.

*Fan accounts of the accident circulate online, while
the regular news media generally ignore it. The first
news reports come from the Entertainment Tonight TV
show, which are far less detailed than the reports from
fans on the Internet.

*Throughout the day and for the next week, fans on the
NetForum post prayers for Lawless and Roo. The prayers
come from many faiths, including Christian, Native
American and Wiccan. Within days, Roo awakens from the
coma. Later, Lawless talks to Roo on the telephone.

OCTOBER 16

*Lawless is released from the hospital and goes to
recuperate in an undisclosed location in the Los
Angeles area.

OCTOBER 21

*Lawless thanks fans for their support via a message
posted to the Internet by Sears. The statement is never
released to the news media.

OCTOBER 30

*Lawless appears on THE JAY LENO SHOW.

NOVEMBER 1 (approximately)

*Lawless flies home to New Zealand

WEEK OF NOVEMBER 25

*Lawless returns to work to shoot THE QUEST.



When Fantasy Meets Reality:
The Aftermath of Lucy Lawless' Accident
----------------------------------------------
Diane Silver
Copyright 1998 by author

This isn't one story. Instead, it is a series of
stories that are linked by one event: Lucy Lawless'
October 1996 accident.

One of those stories, of course, is Lawless' own tale
of pain and recovery from a fractured pelvis, yet that
is one story I wouldn't tell even if I had the
information. Being a celebrity doesn't take away a
person's right to privacy, although some media act as
if it does. The part of Lawless' story, though, that is
important to tell is its happy ending: She has
recovered completely from the accident.

Even without telling that one story, there are a host
of others to tell: the story of fans who suddenly found
their safe fantasy world confronted with reality,
glimpses of what was happening behind the scenes, an
illustration of the power of the Internet and the
changes it is creating in society, and a look at media
power and mistakes.

THE FANS

For one group of fans, the story is very personal
because they saw the accident happen. They are among
the 40-50 fans who traveled to Burbank to be in the
TONIGHT SHOW audience. They had to stand in line to get
tickets. Many were standing next to the parking lot,
watching the filming of the skit, when the accident
occurred.

Some fans like Robbie (robbie@gte.net) were surprised
by their reactions.

"After seeing the horse fall and knowing that Lucy was
not getting up, I got a very sick feeling in the pit of
my stomach," Robbie said. "I didn't eat for three days.
That night, by the time I got back to my hotel, I
couldn't sleep...I had trouble sleeping for a couple of
weeks. Every time I closed my eyes I could see Lucy on
the horse, ride down the driveway, stop, turn the
horse, smile that beautiful smile of hers, wave and
then turn the horse some more and urge it back up the
driveway. As the horse turned, it slipped and down she
went."

One fan told me privately that the first few hours
after the accident were very tense. Immediately after
the horse fell, security guards moved fans away from
the parking lot and closed a security gate, making it
impossible for fans to see what was happening.

The fans had no information about Lawless' condition
until two hours later when they gathered for dinner at
the Acapulco Restaurant across the street from the NBC
Studios. Their dinner at the Acapulco had been arranged
via the Internet.
Soon after fans arrived, Executive Producer Rob Tapert
and Co-Executive Producer R.J. Stewart along with other
staff members joined them. Tapert said that Lawless had
suffered a bump on the head and four to five pelvic
fractures. He said she would recover fully, although
the recovery would take time. He added that Lawless had
insisted that he go to the restaurant to tell fans she
was all right. After talking briefly about what fans
might expect in future XWP episodes, Tapert left with
Stewart. Their visit lasted about 20 minutes.

"I thought it was exceedingly kind of Rob to come to
talk to us," said DarkMuse (darkmuse@earthlink.net),
"and the fact that it was at the apparent insistence of
Lucy touched all of us more than I think most people
can understand. It was obvious from every (Xena)
staffer there that they truly cared about Lucy, that
they, too, were fans."

For other Xenites, their experience of this day was
based solely on what happened online. By 11 p.m.
Pacific Time on the day of the accident, eyewitness
accounts were being posted o the Internet, Production
Assistant Robert Mellette had posted to the NetForum
under his handle of "Xenastaff," and fans were posting
their accounts of Tapert's comments at the restaurant.
Mellette talked about what online Xenadom was like that
evening in an unpublished article he wrote about public
relations and the Internet.

"By 11 p.m. in Los Angeles when I first got to a
computer to check the NetForum, THE TONIGHT SHOW had
already aired throughout most of the country," Mellette
said. "Fans from the east coast were staying up late to
watch the NetForum for news. By the time I logged on, a
fan had posted Tapert's announcement, but without any
details, just that Lucy had a broken pelvis.

"The rumors started. Many people thought this meant a
crippling injury. They thought the horse had actually
fallen on Lucy. And worst of all, they thought Leno was
making fun of the accident. A 'flame war' (directed at
Leno) via email and snail mail was in danger of kicking
up."


Over the next few days, online Xenadom was churning.
Cloudcat (cloudcat@aol.com) described the range of
reactions to the news.


"There were fans who thought Lucy's injury was sad and
wished her a speedy recovery," Cloudcat said. "There
were fans who thought Lucy's injury was the most tragic
event in the world. There were fans who were wondering
what hospital to stake out to see if they could see
Lucy, and there were fans speculating on who they would
get to replace Lucy as Xena."

For other fans, the period was doubly difficult because
a well-known Xena fan had also been injured in an
accident that was announced online that day. The fan,
known by her nickname "Roo," would awaken from her coma
in a few days.

"The worst part was personal," said JulieCal2
(juliecal2@aol.com). Almost simultaneously we got the
devastating post from Visitor that CToups (Roo) was in
a serious auto accident. Roo was my very first and
closest Xenite friend on the net. Her last email to me
was only an hour or two before her accident. To learn
that Roo had suffered severe head and injuries and was
comatose crushed me to the core. The bulletins on the
NetForum about both Lucy and Roo were running neck and
neck. Will I ever forget that dreadful day? Never!"

BEHIND THE SCENES

Little is known publicly about what happened behind the
scenes at Renaissance Pictures and MCA/Universal during
this period, but glimpses can be seen in Mellette's
unpublished article.

Leno's announcement on the night of the accident was
actually written by Leah Krantzler of The Lippin Group
(XWP and HTLJ's public relation's agency) and Dan Filie
of MCA/Universal TV. The announcement was coordinated
with NBC. Krantzler and Filie wrote it in the hospital
emergency room.

"At the time the announcement was being put together,
the diagnosis at the hospital was a bruised pelvis and
a bump on the head," Mellette said. "About the time
Leno was saying 'we hear she'll be fine' on the air, we
learned at the hospital that her pelvis was fractured
-- not crushed, not crippling, but certainly more than
a bruise."

At the time, RP (Renaissance Pictures) was told that it
would take three months for Lawless to return to work,
but that information was not cleared by MCA/Universal
for public release.

Mellette said one of RP's fears was that fans would
take out their anger on Jay Leno and NBC by starting a
hate-mail campaign. 

"Forget that sending hate mail to THE TONIGHT SHOW
isn't a real good public relations move, and forget
that we were going to have to go into delicate
million-dollar insurance negotiations with NBC over
having to shoot around our star for the next eight
weeks; the fact is that Jay Leno and his staff were
terrific. Some of the Xenites on the Leno staff felt
terrible as they had begged to get her on the show."

THE INTERNET

I'll admit to being an Internet newbie at the time of
Lawless' accident. I was probably impressed by Internet
phenomena that are common knowledge to online veterans.
However, the aftermath of Lawless' accident provided a
vivid example for me of how the Internet is changing
the information flow in our society. Two things stand
out: How RP used the Internet to keep in touch with
fans, and the fact that the Internet was a better
source of information than the news media.

RP's use of the Internet is one of the most fascinating
aspects of this story. At the time, MCA/Universal
appeared to want to say as little as possible about the
accident. Meanwhile, RP appeared to be making every
effort to step around MCA/Universal's corporate
restrictions and connect directly with fans.

This began with Tapert's talk to fans at the Acapulco
Restaurant only two and a half hours after the
accident. Tapert's comments gave fans more information
than any of the official press releases ever did.
Details of Tapert's statement were posted to the
Internet and flashed around the world within a few
hours. If the Internet had not existed, then Tapert's
comments would have only been heard by about 50 people.

Meanwhile, Mellette was posting on the NetForum to
dispel rumors. Because MCA/Universal earlier had
forbidden staff to post to the NetForum, Mellette could
do little more than correct misinformation.
MCA/Universal's ban meant that the unofficial channels
of communication, like fan-run mailing lists, were the
only channels open to RP.

Because of this, the XenaVerse mailing list became the
best place to find up-to-date information. XenaVerse
was run by fans and appeared to be free of monitoring
by MCA/Universal. It was also the Internet home base to
Tyldus aka Supervising Producer Steve Sears, who took
on the role of unofficial spokesman to the fans.

Sears would post messages to XenaVerse and ask fans to
repost them to other online forums, including the
NetForum. Within minutes, the information would be
flashed around the world. The day after the accident,
for example, Tyldus posted a short note describing his
visit that morning with Lawless.

"She looked a little worse for the wear but was in good
spirits," Tyldus wrote. (See item #28)

Throughout the next few weeks, Tyldus kept fans updated
on Lawless' condition, gave hints about what the
upcoming "Lucy-Lite" episodes might be like, and on
October 21, 1996, relayed a thank-you note from
Lawless. The note, available at the XENA FAQ on WHOOSH
(http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/faq), thanked fans
for their well wishes and "good vibes", asked fans to
stop sending gifts, and noted that she was "raring to
get back to work." It also provided yet another example
of the power of the Internet by including a personal
message for Roo, the injured fan who's plight probably
would not have been communicated to Lawless if the
Internet had not existed. Among other things, Lawless
said in her note: "Lot's of love to you, Roo!  From  me
and Renee (O'Connor)!"

Lawless' statement via Sears is a good example of how
anyone depending on the news media would get half the
story. This statement, for example, was never released
to the news media.

Along with Tapert's appearance at the restaurant on the
night of the accident, Mellette's posts to NetForum and
posts by XWP Editor Rob Field (aka Avicus) to the
Chakram mailing list, Sears' posts to XenaVerse
probably did more than anything to guarantee that the
rumor mill did not run out of control.

Think about what might have happened if Tapert,
Mellette, Field and Sears had not acted as they did.
Fans would have been in the dark, relying on the
mainstream news media, which had little information,
and MCA/Universal press releases, which said even less.
If RP hadn't acted, the fans main sources of
information during October would have been the
eyewitness accounts of fans at the scene who saw a
frightening fall and a star who did not get up or even
move afterwards.

Tapert, Mellette, Field and Sears are to be commended
for their actions. Not only were their actions smart
public relations, but perhaps more importantly, they
provided a compassionate response to worried fans. In a
time when MCA/Universal was providing meaningless pap
in its public statements, RP appeared to have
side-stepped their own bosses so that they could give
fans the information they needed.

While all of this activity was occurring online, little
was appearing in the mainstream media. Associated
Press, the main information source for out-of-town news
for all media in the United States, did not pick up the
story until October 10 after Stephanie Reader, an
online fan who is also a journalist, wrote a story
based on information from online sources for her
newspaper. Because The Boston Globe also published a
story that day, it is impossible to say which story AP
borrowed for its news wires. However, it is interesting
to speculate that the Internet and a fan may have
scooped the powerful AP and have generated the flood of
newspaper stories that were to come.

THE MEDIA

What can you say about the news media coverage? It
began with ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT videotaping Lawless as
she lay on the pavement and then replaying that tape
every time ET mentioned her for the next year. It
included cutesy stories that confused the real-life
actress with the character she plays and chortled over
the fact that "Xena" had been hurt. At the same time,
the majority of the media repeated the basic facts of
the accident, staying close to the tell-little press
releases issued by MCA/Universal. All of this is pretty
ho-hum and seems to illustrate, yet again, the
shortcomings of the news media.

However, you should never under estimate the power of
the old fashioning media, which still reaches far more
households than the Internet. The coverage of the
accident came in several waves, starting with a wave of
stories reporting the accident. Another wave reported
Lawless' release from the hospital about a week later
and another wave about two weeks later reported on her
appearance on THE TONIGHT SHOW. According to TV Guide
and Lawless, all of this publicity provided XWP with an
unprecedented amount of free advertising, and that
helped boost ratings.

Perhaps the ultimate lesson here is that while the
Internet might seem all-powerful at times, the
traditional media are still supreme.




===========
ANNOTATIONS
===========


[533] 10-01-96
   SKY. http://www.sky.co.uk/one/xena.htm
   COMMENTARY: This brief article provides nothing more
than an introduction to the series. Hardcore fans will
be able to recite this in their sleep, but first-time
viewers might find this helpful. [DS]
   This is a description released by an on-line service
which promotes the satellite system which was carrying
XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS in the united Kingdom.
   REPRINT:
   Sky 2: XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
   NEW ADVENTURE SERIES
   Sundays at 7pm, Sky 2
   Xena: Warrior Princess is an hour-long
action/adventure series from critically-acclaimed  film
makers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi (Army Of Darkness,
Darkman, American Gothic).  A Renaissance Pictures
production, the series is a spin-off of the company's
highly successful  Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and
stars New  Zealand actress Lucy Lawless  who first
captivated audiences with her portrayal of the
character,  Xena, in three top-rated episodes of
Hercules.
   Xena is set in the golden age of myth, long before
ancient Greece or Rome, on the distant frontier of
known civilization far away from the land of mighty
Hercules.  The whims of capricious gods and the greed
of human tyrants make her world a treacherous one.
Surrounded by enemies, barbaric tribes, slave traders
and a host of other evils, the warrior  princess is on
a mission to help people free themselves from tyranny
and injustice. Xena was first introduced in an episode
of Hercules as an intrepid warrior bent on destruction,
who sets out to kill Hercules in her quest for power.
But when a simple act of compassion causes her own army
to betray her, she undergoes a radical conversion.
Realizing she's lost sight of her own humanity in her
obsession to prove herself as the ultimate warrior,
Xena becomes Hercules'  ally and love interest before
heading homeward to begin a new life.  Sundays at 7pm,
Sky 2 *Don't forget that in addition to Xena: Warrior
Princess on Sky 2,  on Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm on Sky
1 you can see  Hercules 


[534] 10-01-96
   TV GUIDE. Insider.
http://www.mci.newscorp.com/tv/magazine. "Xena's
Sidekick." by Annabel Vered.
   COMMENTARY: This article on Renee O'Connor appears
to be the first time O'Connor was given space by TV
Guide. This is part of the publicity blitz for the
second season of XWP. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   XENA'S SIDEKICK
   Scaling Mount Kilimanjaro, sailing the Nile,
swimming with dolphins. Sounds like a typical day for
Xena not glib sidekick Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor), on
Xena: Warrior Princess But the 25-year-old Texan is
more athletic than her character: Now on safari in
Africa with her mom, she's also into hiking, climbing,
and martial arts. And in the hit series' second season,
Gabrielle is getting more like O'Connor. "She's more
independent, more her own person," says the actress. In
addition,  "I think she's better with the staff than
she expected. The writers have decided that's her
special ability now." O'Connor's also coming into her
own, getting recognized by Xena-philes on the street.
"It's nice to hear what they like, especially women.
They appreciate that our characters are intellectually
and physically strong -- Xena more than Gabrielle, but
still..."


[535] 10-01-96
   WRITER'S DIGEST. Section: Vol. 76, No. 10. Page 47.
2130 words. "Sense and responsibility, the scriptwriter
and society. By Lawrence DiTillio.
   COMMENTARY: Lawrence DiTillio works on Babylon 5.
[KT]
   Written for aspiring scriptwriters, this article is
in XMR because it uses Xena and Hercules as examples of
how "fact" is not always "truth" when it comes to TV.
DiTillio explains that both series are truthful,
although historically inaccurate. They work, he says,
because they are fantasies and are not intended to be
factually accurate. DiTillio's article is reprinted in
full because it does more than mention Xena. The
article offers a look at how scriptwriting works from
the writer's point of view. I thought that might be
handy given the criticism of the writing of the
third-season episodes. DiTillio ends with a discussion
of whether or not TV influences people, which is
another topic that has been debated heatedly in
Xenadom. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Our topic today is the responsibility of the
scriptwriter.
   Several varieties affect scriptwriting. First and
foremost is the writer's responsibility to his or her
own work. Two factors apply here: passion and truth. A
writer must have a genuine desire to tell a story,
otherwise the story isn't going to generate much
response from the audience.
   This doesn't mean a passionless story won't make it
to the screen; film and television are rife with
scripts that lie there like week-old lox and yet get 
produced. This odd phenomenon has to do with time and
money. Television in particular is a very fast-paced
medium (at least in the episodic area) and it's no mean
feat to generate 13, 22 or 26 episodes of a TV series
in the course of a single year (the actual production
time is much less but I'm including the script
process). Given such an effort, the last thing a
producer wants is to shelve a script, so bad scripts
get produced. More on this later, but now let's examine
the truth part of the equation.
   Truth is every bit as important as passion. However,
it's a somewhat more flexible concept. In the context
of your responsibilities, truth refers to being
truthful to the characters, tone and milieu of the 
work. Two of my favorite shows--Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess--are examples of
this.
  Before these shows' creations, most fantasies
involving mythic characters were played fairly
straight--characters talked in pseudo-archaic style and 
avoided obvious references to contemporary things.
Hercules and Xena take this notion and stand it on its
head. Though both characters work in a milieu that is
supposed to be Ancient Greece and its environs, they
talk in contemporary style and are constantly tossing
in sly references to contemporary life. 
   If you were to look at this series with an eye to
historical accuracy you'd come up painfully short. But
the truth of both series is that they're not trying to
be accurate; they're trying to be funny, offbeat and
appealing to a contemporary audience. Yet at the same 
time, both shows are very truthful to their main and
supporting characters, never deviating from who they
are as presented by the creators of the shows.
   As a counterpoint, take Dr. Quinn: Medicine Woman, a
show set in the old West that takes pains to be
historically accurate. In this case, a deviation from
the truth would be inconsistent with the general thrust
of the series.
   When writing an original work, truth depends on your
objective. If you're writing a wacky comedy a la Mel
Brooks or a fantastic piece like Star Wars, you need
pay little attention to reality. If you're penning a
romantic comedy or a drama, you probably want your
setting to be as realistic as possible. 
   In all cases, you must be truthful to the
characters, either as they exist or as you create them.
   Let me give you a generic example. Say two
characters, at odds throughout an entire story,
suddenly fall wildly in love. This is a classic cliche
in film and TV, and whether it works or not depends on
the truth of the change. If the writer takes care in
detailing the change of emotions, paying close
attention to who his characters are and what event (or
events) motivates them from antagonism to love, then
the audience accepts it. If not, it falls flat.
   So truth in scriptwriting is relative to the piece. 
Indeed, one could say nothing in a fictional piece is
actually true, but simply appears true. The fancy word
for it is verisimilitude, and that's what film and TV
strive for.
   Your final responsibility to your own work: When
writing a first draft, indulge your passion and your
truth fully. You must write the very best writing you
can, and you can't do that by nit-picking your own work
as it's pouring out of you. In subsequent drafts,
you'll have sufficient time to pull back, alter and
drop material. Do so with utter brutality for that's
the real craft of writing. No matter how in love you
may be with a scene, if it doesn't enhance the work,
cut or change it.
   The Good, the Bad and the Un
   The late Arthur Nadel, the writer/producer who gave
me my second big break in showbiz, once explained to me
the three kinds of scripts: good producible, bad
producible and unproducible. 
   The good producible script meets most of the
employer's needs in terms of content, budget,
production time and audience appeal. Writing them makes
you a viable commodity in the industry.
   The bad producible script falls short in terms of
content and audience appeal, but is doable in terms of
money and time. A bad producible script will
immediately require the services of a story editor (in
TV) or a script doctor (in film).
   An unproducible script can be either bad or good
writing, but in both cases it simply can't be produced
within the allotted budget or time. A bad unproducible
script is usually beyond the help of even the greatest
script doctor; it almost always winds up being shelved
(along with the writer's career momentum). A good
unproducible script can sometimes be reworked enough to
make it producible, which leads us to: 
   The Second Responsibilities
   The second brand of responsibility is responsibility
to your employers. Professional scripting is work for
hire, and as such you must fulfill the needs of those
who pay you.
   You'll note that in discussing the good producible
script I said it fulfills most of the employer's needs.
I said it because the writer has needs as well, and
knowing how to fulfill those needs without alienating a
producer, network executive or studio maven is a fine
art. No matter how good a script is, the writer is
going to get notes--comments and critiques and rewrite
orders--on it. Deciding which of these notes to
implement and which to fight against until blood flows
from your brow is part of being a professional.
    One key to making such decisions is to realize that
the notes are not coming from a writer (except in the
case of a writer-producer). Non-writers can't always
see why something in a script works; They're often
simply going on a gut feeling that it's "wrong." The
writer's job is to change that perception through
tactful argument rather than to merely dismiss it. I
stress tactful because screaming at a producer that
he's a first-rate moron who should be castrated so that
no more of his kind can be bred is not likely to help
your career--or win the argument.
   If a script change is small and doesn't overly
impact the whole, your best bet is to go ahead and make
the change. On the other hand, if you're certain a
change will severely damage the script, fight the fight
to the best of your ability. This may require walking
away from the project, a situation no pro ever really
likes but one that is sometimes necessary.
   The final responsibility of writer to employer is
to do the work on time.
   When working on a film, or a made-for-TV movie or
special, time is a bit more flexible and this is not so
great a problem. But in episodic television, time is
crucial. Once, a writer who owed me a rewrite
disappeared for a month. This writer never worked for
me again.
   The Third Responsibility
   The final responsibility is that of writer to
audience. It's this responsibility that often casts me
and my colleagues in the role of "menace to society."
   Anyone who can read a newspaper or listen to Oprah
knows that the industry I labor in has been under
virulent attack for the past several years. According
to certain journalists, psychiatrists, watchdog groups,
politicians and assorted other critics, the film and TV
industry is responsible for every societal misfortune
since the assassination of Lincoln. Gangs, child abuse,
drug abuse, divorce, crime, riots, murder, mayhem and
war are all dropped casually on Hollywood's doorstep as
concerned citizens gravely nod agreement.
   The usual industry response to this is to agree that
we are creating a climate of violence and moral
turpitude in America and solemnly agree to do better.
My response is "Horse hockey."
   Film and TV are powerful mediums. Their blend of
word and image can influence people, as advertising
agencies know all too well. There's a difference,
however, in getting a person to buy laundry detergent
and getting them to take an ax to their mother-in-law.
It's the difference between the trivial and the
significant between what has meaning in life and what
doesn't.
   With this in mind, here's my take on the thorny
question of the scriptwriter's responsibility to
audience--and to society.
   Conflict is part and parcel of every good story.
These conflicts may be emotional, such as those that
drive most comedies and dramas, or they may be
physical, the stock in trade of action-adventure and
thrillers.
   Now, the majority of us want and do live nice,
peaceful lives--but none of us want to see that on the
screen. It is boring, and it does little to help us
through the trials and tribulations of life. And
helping us get through life is what writing is about;
helping us understand the good and the bad in human
nature, aiding us in confronting our fears,
appreciating the joys of living, giving us a sense of
wonder and comforting us in hard times.
   To help our audiences through their trials and
tribulations, writers must have passion and truth and
one thing more: freedom. We must be free to explore the
light and the dark in our nature, without fear of
V-chips, political correctness, draconian rating
systems or moral platitudes.
   Our freedom is our greatest strength. Conversely, it
is what people fear most about us. We say the things
others won't or can't say, and for our troubles we are
often resented, hounded, hated and persecuted, not only
by those outside our industry but by those inside as=7F
well.
   It's a frightening responsibility, this freedom to
explore, and if you don't see that I'd suggest another
line of work. But if you do accept it, understand this:
98% of the scripts churned out every day in film and TV
are designed strictly to entertain. They're not meant
to impact our life; they're meant to divert us from it
for a time. The very best of these scripts may indeed
give us an emotional response and even a life lesson or
three. Nevertheless, the goal is still diversion. (The
other 2% aim right for our hearts, souls and minds and
are generated by talented writers, directors and actors
who seek to create art.)
   The attacks on my industry center on the
entertainment more than on the art, but they impact
both because they ignore an essential fact: We are all
creatures of light and darkness, striving to cast off
our baser natures and become truly civilized. The
entertainment industry gives us a way to indulge the
less savory aspects of our humanity without hurting
anyone. That's a good thing.
   I also believe that the politicians who rant about
our industry should take a good hard look at their own
output. If there is a climate of violence, I believe
it's these heinous jarheads who have caused it.
    I have less rancor toward the various parents'
groups who make the same charges, because I believe
they have been misled. I'm a parent, and I know it's
hard to raise children in these times. My daughter is 9
and has already been through an earthquake, a flood and
the worst of all riots. When I looked out my window and
saw things burning two blocks away in all directions,
I, too, was angry and scared. But I am not naive enough
to believe the event was caused by a cartoon show--or
even a Steven Seagal film.
   I don't doubt that some of you--scriptwriters and
casual readers--are seething at this point. I propose
to you a small experiment. Take the latest copy of TV
Guide and get yourself a red pencil. Circle every show
you consider violent, page by page. Ignore pay-cable
services; most of what they're showing are feature
movies that must be paid for by the viewer.
    Now compare what you've circled to what you
haven't. I'm confident you'll find the nonviolent far
outweighs the violent.
   Remember also that entertainment is a choice. If you
don't like a show, you're not forced to watch it. If a
movie doesn't appeal to you, no one makes you plunk
your bucks at the box office. That's called freedom and
it is meaningful, not trivial.
   Politicians want you to believe this industry is
responsible for the world's troubles. It's a smoke
screen to keep you from seeing the real scoundrels.
It's your responsibility to question this smoke screen
both as writers and as consumers of the industry's
wares. With a bit of common sense and a willingness to
accept responsibility, we can change the world. In Boca
Al Lupo. Lawrence G. DiTillio's views are, as always,
solely his own. He wouldn't have to any other way. This
column is copyright 1996 by Lawrence G. DiTillio.
GRAPHIC: Other

[536]  10-01-96
   THE WEB MAGAZINE. October/November 1996. Page 110.
"WebReviews" by Derk Richardson
   COMMENTARY: What follows is Kym Taborn's commentary
on how this modest little mention of XMR in The Web
Magazine led to the publication of the first issue of
WHOOSH. We think it's a red-letter day in the history
of Xenadom, but then we are a tad biased. Here's Kym.
[DS]
    XMR (the newsletter you are reading now!) was
originally archived on the IAXS (International
Association of Xena Studies) website, which was
originally designed and maintained by Tricia Murphy
Heintz (web-page princess) and subtly manipulated by
me, Kym Taborn (web-page pest). This very same web page
was reviewed in the premiere issue of The Web Magazine,
yet another consumer-oriented web guide entering an
already glutted market. Released September 17, 1996,
the review got carried away in its description of a
research project. Of the 36 different projects listed,
Mr. Richardson fixated on one alone and embellished
upon it. The actual research project was titled, "018.
Ambiguities in the Relationships Among the Women of
XWP". Mr. Richardson called it "sexual preference
ambiguities". Is that Freudian? You betcha!
   Although he called the page thin, Mr. Richardson
deemed the site "promising". He also added that the
page "emulates both the cult series'
medieval-meets-modernist atmosphere (graphically) and
its ironic attitude (in wry approach to content)..."
   On a scale of 1 (avoid it at all costs) to 5 (marry
it), Mr. Richardson rated the page "2" for content, "4"
for design, "3" for links, and "3" overall.  The
overall score was weighted towards the links score,
since the reviewer placed a very high value to the
number of links on a given site.
   Because of this article reviewing the IAXS site,
Betsy Book and I decided that September 17th (the day
the October issue hit the stands) would be an excellent
time to premiere the first issue of WHOOSH. For about
three weeks we spent over thirty hours a week online
working to get the WHOOSH website together. Talk about
mythic bonding. By the time the third issue was up, we
were shell-shocked and confused as to whom was who.
Nonetheless, we made that first deadline and a very
modest WHOOSH premiered on September 17, 1996, all
because of this stupid WEB MAGAZINE review. I got a
free copy of the magazine and what amounts to a new
career in web publishing.
   This is deliciously surreal. I am reviewing a review
of my website without using any mirrors! [KT]
   The web address subsequently changed to
http://www.thirdstory.com/whoosh/iaxs and then recently
to http://whoosh.org
   REPRINT:
   ...INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF XENA STUDIES
   http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS.html
   Emulating both the cult series'
medieval-meets-modernist atmosphere (graphically) and
its ironic attitude (in wry approach to content), this
thin but promising addition to the ranks of
online-philes calls itself the online home of the
International Association of Xena Studies. The IAXS
"requires" participation and assigns research topics
(such as sexual preference ambiguities) to willing
students. A newsletter, Whoosh!, is on its way.
   Content: 2  Design: 4  Links: 3  Overall: 3...

[537] 10-01-96
   DETROIT MONTHLY. October 1996. Page 12. 3880 words.
"Upfront"
   COMMENTARY: XWP composer Joe LoDuca was mentioned
in a story about a Hollywood Literary Retreat seminar
and workshop. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Although she's been making semi-regular stops in
metro Detroit for a year or two now, L.A.
writer-producer Lynn Isenberg's popular Hollywood
Literary Retreat program is extending its reach now to
other showbiz meccas including New York, Miami and even
Paris, France. Her seminar-workshops in Motown cover
acting, writing and scoring music for the movies, and
have attracted talent near (Joe LoDuca, who scores
syndicated successes Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
and Xena: Warrior Princess for Sam Raimi) and far
(Oscar-winning composer Herbie Hancock). She returns to
the Detroit area Oct. 12-13 with ''Screenwriting &
Producing." For details, call (810) 645-2538 or visit
the program's Web site at
http://www.metroguide.com/hollywoodseminars.Hot Air


[538] 10-01-96
   THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page E-1. 1124
words. "The Current Cosby Creation Leaves Him
Cold" By Welton Jones, welton.jones@uniontrib.com.
   COMMENTARY: In a review of Bill Cosby's new
television show (which doesn't anywhere mention the
name of the show and name currently alludes me!), the
reviewer criticized the three-camera, flat-lighting,
all interior, broad comedy texture of modern situation
comedies. While expressing his dismay over the
technique he wrote, "I don't seem to be this troubled
by quality television shows like "NYPD Blue" or "Xena:
Warrior Princess," for example, where there seems to be
a budget for outdoor shooting." XWP was referred to as
a "quality television show". [KT]
   Later, Welton Jones would write one of the first
serious commentaries praising XWP. The thing that I
find so delightful about Jones' writing is that he is
one of the few critics who seems to be able to actually
see what XWP is doing. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...This isn't helped any by the claustrophobia that
I always feel in sitcom land.  There's something about
a studio set with television actors straining for
quirkiness, even in brief scenes flashed on as teasers
for these shows, that inspires in me an instant
loathing I have never felt in, for example, the
theater.
   But this isn't just some kind of snob thing.  I
don't remember ever feeling this nausea in a movie
house.  And I don't seem to be thus troubled by quality
television shows like "NYPD Blue" or "Xena: Warrior
Princess," for example, where there seems to be a
budget for outdoor shooting. Even the soap operas I
glimpse at the gym seem to be more intelligently shot.
   The standard three-camera, flat-lighting, all
interior, broad comedy texture, invented by Desi Arnaz
for "I Love Lucy," is what triggers my phobia.  It just
seems to absorb all wit and humanity in a bottomless
container of Styrofoam peanuts, leaving only the
polished aggression of Celebrity Personalities and the
urgent hustling of their droll retainers....


[539] 10-01-96
   TELEVISION BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL. Page 174. 2587
words. "Platform for Growth". By Tim Westcott.
   COMMENTARY: One of the interesting things about
doing XMR is that we're so, ummm, behind that we're
reporting on stories written more than a year ago.
While that might seem to be an impediment to others,
this interesting little article is an example of how
Wayback-Machine Journalism can be an advantage. In this
interview with a trade publication, MCA executive Jim
McNamara discusses MCA's syndicate strategy. He twice
mentions XWP and HTLJ as examples of MCA's successes.
From the perspective of Wayback-Machine Journalism, we
know that MCA in 1997 sold its TV shows, including XWP
and HTLJ, to another corporation. Unfortunately, we
can't know whether or not the decision to sell MCA's TV
assets was prompted, at least partially, by XWP and
HTLJ's success. Could this have been a tastier, and
therefore more profitable deal, because Renaissance
Pictures has been producing winners? Also, for the
reader interested in syndication strategy, this article
provides a few new tidbits of information. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Jim NcNamara was one of the new executives brought
in at MCA earlier this year as Seagram shook up its TV
Group.  McNamara, president of worldwide television
distribution, says MCA is negotiating further long-
term output deals for digital tv operators, launching
new channels around the world and making a push to
develop its syndication business in the U.S.  Interview
by Tim Westcott...
   ...
   TBI: Given the corporate and regulatory changes in
the U.S.  television business, is it going to be harder
for distributors like MCA to get a show onto primetime?
   You have to look at it over a longer period of
time.  I think that this year there might have been a
touch of it but not really that much.  Where we're
really feeling it is in the syndication arena, where
the alliances between producers and stations have
really taken all the initiative out of producing a good
show.  It is no longer the show that matters, it's the
deal and the alliance.
   You have CBS and Eyemark basically getting the nod
on all the shows that are going to appear on the CBS
stations.  I can't imagine a new show going on the ABC
stations that's not influenced in some way by the
Disney organization.  NBC is a free player and the
Tribune stations are very much in sync with their
distribution organization.
   Fortunately, we made two deals on Hercules and Xena
last year, so we can worry about that problem in 1998.
   TBI: Is syndication your priority?
   I think we're in pretty good shape internationally.
A lot of my focus is on the domestic syndication
business right now, because it's the only business
where you can actually make money in the current year.
If you're in the network business, you're betting on
the long-term back-end.
   In the international business, what you're really
doing is funding part of the current production
deficit.  But in the first-run syndication business,
you can actually make a profit, because you negotiate
license fees and you are participating in barter
revenue.  So there is a potential upside.
   We have our two very successful once-a-week shows,
Hercules and Xena.  We're going to be doing another one
we'll be announcing at Mipcom.  But in the daily strip
business, we really are nowhere.
   That's where a large part of our attention is being
focused.  You can call me back a year from now and ask
if we've succeeded in that.


[540] 10-01-96
   THE BOSTON GLOBE. National/Foreign. Page B8. 75
words. "Ask the Globe:. Address Book. By Sam Watertown.
   COMMENTARY: The Boston Globe provides a list of
addresses, apparently in response to reader questions.
The address they report for Lucy Lawless, however, was
out of date soon after this appeared. To write Lawless
today send it to The Official Xena Fan Club at 644-A W.
Broadway, Glendale, CA 91204. Also know that because of
the volume of mail, Lawless cannot read and respond to
every letter. On the other hand, every piece of mail is
read by someone on the fan club staff. I wonder if the
address for Ladies Who Laugh Out Loud is out of date,
and I wonder what I have to do to join. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to The
Society for Ladies Who Laugh Out Loud, P.O. Box 629,
Kennebunkport, ME 04046. For L.H., Boston - Celine
Dion, c/o Creative Artists Agency, 9830 Wilshire Blvd.,
Beverly Hills, CA 90212 For A.O., Revere - Make-A-Wish
Foundation of America, 100 W. Clarendon Avenue, Suite
2200, Phoenix, AZ 85013-3518 For M.M., Lynn - Lucy
Lawless, c/o The Lippin Group, 230 Park Ave., Suite
550, New York, NY 10169


[541] 10-02-96 to 10-07-96
   NOTE: The next few excerpts mention CLOAK AND
DAGGER, a new (at that time) TV series being produced
by Renaissance Pictures, the makers of XWP. Primarily a
Sam Raimi project, CLOAK AND DAGGER was later broadcast
by ABC under the name of SPY GAME. The series lasted
only a few episodes before being cancelled. [DS]

[541a] 10-02-96
   LOS ANGELES TIMES. Page F2. 864 words. "Arts and
Entertainment Reports from the Times, National and
International News Services and the Nation's Press" By
Shauna Snow
   COMMENTARY:  A brief look at the unusual business
deal that led to the production of Cloak and Dagger
(Spy Game). [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Warner-Universal Teaming: In a virtually
unprecedented arrangement between two major studios,
Warner Bros. and Universal will co-produce "Cloak &
Dagger," an upcoming ABC action series. The companies
were brought together because of separate
agreements with the producers involved: John McNamara,
who co-created the Fox series "Profit," now has ties to
Warner Bros.; Sam Raimi has a deal with Universal,
through which he produces the syndicated hits
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior
Princess." "Cloak & Dagger," a high-tech action show
reminiscent of the old spy series "The Avengers," is
expected to air later this season, although no casting
has been set. The only previous case of two studios
combining on a series also involved Universal and
Warner Bros., brought together through filmmakers
Steven Spielberg and Tim Burton on the short-lived 1993
CBS animated program "Family Dog."...


[541b] 10-02-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Wednesday. Page 1. 551 words. "WB,
Universal Team for ABC Drama Series WB, Universal Share
'Cloak'" By Joe Flint.
   COMMENTARY: A detailed explanation of the CLOAK AND
DAGGER/SPY GAME production partnership. Again, XWP was
mentioned in passing in reference to Sam Raimi and
Robert Tapert. [KT] 
   One interesting note here: Of the three mid-season
replacement shows mentioned in this article, only one,
The Practice, won a regular spot in the broadcast
schedule. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   In the latest example of what strange bedfellows the
television business makes, rival studios Warner Bros.
Television and MCA's Universal Television are
partnering on a new mid-season drama for ABC.
   The deal was driven by both creative and financial
needs. Creatively, each studio is supplying elements to
the show, while partnering also lowers the risks and
costs involved in production.
   The show in question is "Cloak and Dagger," a
one-hour action-adventure thriller with comedic
elements to which ABC has given a 13-episode
commitment. The two studios are looking for an 8 p.m.
time slot on the Alphabet web.
   Both studios will share equally in the production
and distribution of the show. It is understood that
Warner Bros. will get international distribution rights
to Cloak and Dagger while Universal will handle
domestic distribution.
   On the surface that may seem to be an advantage to
Warner Bros., which can sell the show internationally
immediately. But MCA may also look to cut an early
syndication deal with a cable outlet such as USA
Network, in which it owns a 50% stake. If the show has
a short life on ABC, perhaps USA would become the
full-time home for the series.
   While studios and production companies often partner
with networks on TV shows, partnerships between studios
on a show are rare. A few years ago, Universal and
Warner Bros. partnered on a short-lived CBS animated
effort called "Family Dog," but that collaborative
effort was more out of necessity than voluntary:
Universal wanted to do the show, but only with director
Tim Burton, who had created the concept only to later
sign a deal with Warner Bros.
   This effort is a little more co-operative. Universal
Television president Tom Thayer looked to partner with
Warner Bros. so producer John McNamara, who has a deal
at Warner Bros., could be involved on the show with
Universal producers Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert.
   "It's a fairly unorthodox piece of business," said
Warner Bros. Television president Tony Jonas, who
emphasized that the deal is much more about teaming up
the creative elements than it is about minimizing
financial risk on the drama.
   "Cost is not the engine of this deal," Jonas said.
"The show itself an 8 p.m. action hour is an elusive
form with few successes." By combining talent, Jonas
and Thayer are hoping both can share in the returns.
   "To succeed in today's increasingly difficult
business environment, we have to be aggressive," added
Universal's Thayer.
    Universal's Raimi and Tapert are currently
executive producers on Universal's first run
syndication shows "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"
and "Xena: Warrior Princess." They also exec produced
the short-lived CBS series "American Gothic."
   McNamara serves as producer of Warner Bros.' "Lois &
Clark: The New Adventures of Superman." He also
co-created and executive produced the critically
acclaimed but also short-lived Fox series "Profit."
   Also serving as producer is Renaissance Pictures
Television president David Eick, who played a key part
in the deal.
   For ABC, Cloak and Dagger is the third drama that
the web is prepping for mid-season. The others are 20th
Century Fox Television's "The Practice" from David
Kelley, and "Gun" from Kushner-Locke. ABC also has five
comedies in the works for later this season.


[541c] 10-07-96
   VARIETY. Page 37. 559 words. "'Cloak' big enough
for WB" By JOE FLINT
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR541b.


[542] 10-02-96
   THE BUFFALO NEWS. Wednesday. Page 7D. 917 words.
"a Sneak Peek at What New Warner Bros. Channel 49 Will
Be; Carrying" By Alan Pergament
   COMMENTARY: Pergament, the writer, pondered what
shows will be carried by the new station Channel 49,
and XWP and HTLJ are among them. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   The secret is being protected as closely as any clue
to what's really going on with Fox Mulder's family in
"The X-Files." For the past two months, I've tried to
uncover just what programs Channel 49 will be carrying
when it switches over from a religious station to a
commercial station....
   The arrival of the new station, which will have the
new call letters of WNYO-TV and remain on local cable
systems, should make fans of several missing syndicated
shows very happy....
   ...That still leaves several hours of prime time for
syndicated programming, including "Hercules," "Xena"
and "Baywatch," which all have done much better
nationally than they did when they were carried on
Channel 29...


[543] 10-03-97
   TIME OUT NEW YORK. Issue No. 54. Page 13.
   COMMENTARY: Full page photo is on p. 12 of Lucy
Lawless holding two swords crossed above her head. This
is one of the first-season publicity shots that turn up
frequently. Nothing else is known about this. If you
have more information, please contact us. [KT]


[544] 10-4-96
   THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. STAR TIME. Page FW2.
690 words. "A mob of SYNDICATE SHOWS." By Robert
Philpot.
   COMMENTARY: In a story that previews syndicated
shows, some so obscure as to be unknown (Anyone
remember something called "Two?"), the writer mentions
XWP and HTLJ in a report on Sinbad. It's the usual
off-hand, snide comment that we've come to expect from
TV critics. Hmmm, am I feeling a bit snappish today?
Not really, but I do think I'm a teeny bit tired of
critics who don't appear to need to watch a show before
slamming it. This fellow also gives Sinbad a rating of
3 and a half stars out of a possible five and praises
Sinbad's "writing". No comment. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   They're not exactly homeless shows. It's more like
they live in small, hard-to-find apartments while
others live in big houses in familiar neighborhoods.
   They're syndicated TV shows, those odd shows that
either don't show up on network affiliates or appear
outside of prime time when they do.  They include some
of TV's biggest success stories, such as Baywatch and
Wheel of Fortune. And they often become cult
favorites, such as Hercules or Xena: Warrior Princess.
   This year, enough new ones debuted that we had
trouble catching (and in some cases, finding) them all.
The Wrap, which doesn't air in all markets itself,
loves this kind of stuff. Because it's where many
guilty pleasures lie.
   Here's a rundown of some of this year's syndi
loopers, rated on a scale of one to five stars....
   The Adventures of Sinbad: This swashbuckler follows
the lead of Hercules and Xena: Namely, dumb, hokey
shows can be tremendously entertaining if they're hip
enough to themselves to realize that they're dumb and
hokey. This show has a lot going for it: Improbably
named lead player Zen Gesner has the most charm among
the syndicated hunks; the writing has a refreshingly
tongue-in-cheek quality; and the special effects (the
pilot included a sea serpent, a giant demon and a rock
monster) are reminiscent of the great Ray Harryhausen,
whose stop-motion animation was featured in several
Sinbad movies. Although Gesner and other regulars hold
their own, some of the guest-acting is hilariously bad:
One actress whose part should have had some lines had
nothing to do but scream - and she couldn't even do
that well. (Airs 5 p.m. Sundays, KDFI/Channel 27) Rated
***1/2


[545] 10-03-96
   NOTE: CALLISTO (#22), 2nd release, 09/09/96. Ranked
as the third action hour with a 4.3 rating. (HTLJ took
1st place with a 5.2 and ST:DS9 took 2nd with a 5.1.
Other action hours: FX: The Series earned 2.5; Two
earned 2.4; Bounty Hunters earned 1.4; TV.Com earned
1.2; The Cape was reprocessed.). [DOCTOR's 1st release
(07/29/96) ratings: HTLJ took 1st with a 4.5; XWP took
2nd with a 4.0; and ST:DS9 took 3rd with a 3.9.] [KT]


[545a] 10-03-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Thursday. Page 3. 1000 words. "No
Ratings Payoff for New Syndie Gamers. Talk Losing
Streak. New Syndies Fail to Make Dent in Nielsens" By
Jenny Hontz
   COMMENTARY: CALLISTO (#22), 2nd release, 09/09/96.
   EXCERPT:
   The new crop of first-run strips that debuted the
week ending Sept. 22 barely registered on Nielsen's
national ratings radar screen....
   ...Weeklies in flux
   The debut of Rysher Entertainment's "FX The Series"
rated a 2.5 on 217 stations covering 93% of the
country, a good clearance list. Worldvision's
"America's Dumbest Criminals" debuted to a 1.8 on 118
stations covering 77% of the country. Also in its
premiere week, Tradewinds' "Bounty Hunters" debuted at
a 1.4 on 89 stations covering 71% of the country.
Golden Gate Prods.' "TV.Com" debuted to a 1.2 on 92
stations covering 69% of the country. The highly
anticipated "The Cape" was reprocessed.     In Week 2,
New World's "Two" fell 8% to a 2.4. MCA TV's "Hercules"
led the weekly pack at a 5.2, just ahead of Par's "Star
Trek: Deep Space Nine," 5.1. MCA TV's "Xena: Warrior
Princess" was third at 4.3. Compared to last year, all
the top weeklies were lower.

[545b] 10-07-96
   VARIETY. Page 39. 1003 words. "SYNDIE FRESHMAN
CLASS FLUNKS TALK" By JENNY HONTZ
   COMMENTARY: CALLISTO (#22), 2nd release,
09/09/96.Same as XMR- --a.


[546] 10-03-96 to 10-08-96
   NOTE: The start of a new season. What follows are
the promotions for the first episode of the second
season, ORPHAN OF WAR. season opener. [KT]

[546a] 10-03-96
   THE BALTIMORE SUN. Thursday. Page 3E. 486 words.
"Suddenly, 'Susan' Feels like We've Seen it Before" By
Chris Kaltenbach
   COMMENTARY: "Myth and mirth" was used to describe
XWP and HTLJ. Short description of season opener, "Xena
has a pleasant reunion with her son, who has sworn to
kill her." [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ..."Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (8 p.m.-9
p.m.) and "Xena: Warrior Princess" (9 p.m.-10 p.m.,
WNUV, Channel 54) -- A new season of myth and mirth
opens as Herc finds himself stranded on a desert island
populated by huge, mean worms, and Xena has a pleasant
reunion with her son, who has sworn to kill her. And by
the way, don't get upset with me if the writers here
play fast and loose with their mythology. I don't write
these things; I just write about them.

[546b] 10-04-96
   NEWSDAY (Nassau Edition). Friday. Page B52. 182
words. "TV this Weekend"
   COMMENTARY: After offering the date and channel
for XWP in New York (Saturday, WPIX/11 at 9 p.m.), the
paper noted that HTLJ and XWP were "two of the most
successful syndicated action-adventure hours". [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Hercules: The Legendary Journeys (Saturday,
WPIX/11 at 8 p.m.) and Xena: Warrior Princess
(Saturday, WPIX/11 at 9 p.m.), two of the most
successful syndicated action-adventure hours air their
season premieres....

[546c] 10-04-96
   STAR TRIBUNE. Page 1E. 647 words. "On tap: Movies"
By Bill Ward
   COMMENTARY: Passing mention of the new season.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Television...
   ...Among other season premieres of note: "Sightings"
(7 p.m. today, SCI), "The American Experience" (8 p.m.
Sunday, Ch. 2), "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys"
(9:30 p.m. Sunday, Ch. 29) and "Xena: Warrior Princess"
(10:30 p.m. Sunday, Ch. 29)....


[546d] 10-05-96
   THE PLAIN DEALER. Saturday. Page 12E. 617 words.
"The Profile Well Worth Four Hours" By Tom Feran
   COMMENTARY: New season announcement.
   EXCERPT:
   ...WEEKENDING: New seasons start this weekend on
Channel 43 for "Kung Fu: The Legend Continues" (4 p.m.
today), "Babylon 5" (5 p.m. today), "Xena: Warrior
Princess" (4 p.m. tomorrow) and "Hercules: The
Legendary Journeys" (5 p.m. tomorrow) ... "Lois &
Clark" do tie the knot, at 8 p.m. tomorrow on WEWS
Channel 5 and WAKC Channel 23....


[546e] 10-05-95
   AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Pg. E8. 582 words.
"Kids' programs on cable television experience growth;
ABC to air entire 'Lion King' movie" By DIANE HOLLOWAY
and John Carmody
   COMMENTARY: More new season announcement.
   EXCERPT:
   ...HIGHLIGHTS
   Two popular syndicated shows have season premieres
tonight on KNVA Channel 54: ''XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS''
opens its second season at 7, and ''HERCULES: THE
LEGENDARY JOURNEYS'' begins its third at 8 ...


[546f] 10-08-96
   CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page C3. 812 words.
"'MURDER' THEY WROTE; J.C. MACKENZIE GIVES UP SOME DIRT
ON WHAT'S TO COME ON THE BOCHCO SERIES" By Allan
Johnson.
   COMMENTARY: Hello new season, but with a
delightfully humorous twist that  quotes a HTLJ
disclaimer.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Where's the remote: Here's a calming thought for
animal-rights activists from the producers of
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." On the season
premiere at 4 p.m. Saturday on WGN-Ch. 9, "no
flesh-eating Sandrays were harmed during the production
of this motion picture."
   For the uninformed, Sandrays are stingray-like
creatures. They slither underneath a desert area that
our hero (Kevin Sorbo) wanders with a mercenary (Jeremy
Roberts) he's towing in to face a murder charge in this
episode, which is more somber than most of the
fun-loving segments that mark this mostly cheery,
sometimes cheesy syndicated hit.
   By the by, "Hercules"' sister series, "Xena: Warrior
Princess," also starts its season at 3 p.m. Saturday on
Channel 9.


[546g] 10-08-96
   CHATTANOOGA FREE PRESS. Tuesday. Page A8. 826 words.
"Tune in Tonight."
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR546f.


[547] 10-04-96
   THE VANCOUVER SUN. Friday. Page C3. 377 words.
"Bound to titillate a few" By Peter Birnie
   COMMENTARY: In a review of the movie "Bound",
starring Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon, the reviewer
wrote: "Larry and Andy Wachowski write and direct
Gershon's character with less femininity than Xena,
leading to the suspicion that this slick mix of female
skin and glistening guns is less for lesbians than men
in need of a little fantasy."
   He also compared the Gershon character to Xena:
"Jennifer Tilly has never been in stronger hands as
Gershon's muscles, tank top and plumbing skills make
her the warrior to free the fair, breathy maiden next
door."
   The reviewer not only used Xena as a yardstick
whether the film was intended for a lesbian audience or
a male heterosexual audience, but he also attempted to
compare the screen relationship to that of the
Xena-Gabrielle
relationship in XWP.
   This is an example of a sophisticated allusion which
is now beginning to be seen more commonly in the media.
This evidences not only a journalist who is familiar
with the nuances of the show, but also exhibits an
anticipation that the audience shares the same with
them. [KT]
   REPRINT:
   BOUND  Starring Jennifer Tilly and Gina Gershon.
   Restricted. Rating three
   Pull over, Thelma & Louise. You've been overtaken by
the ultimate female road movie.
   Although most of Bound unfolds in a couple of
elegant old Chicago apartments, it's all about movement
and change. A lesbian, a bisexual woman and a gangster
named Caesar get together and generate enough heat,
blood and general creepiness to rate one sleazy piece
of cinema as the wildest ride this side of 1946's The
Postman Always Rings Twice.
   Someone is doing a great John Garfield here, but it
isn't Joe Pantoliano as the mobster. Gina Gershon, she
of Showgirls, is cast as a beautiful, fit lesbian ready
to help the gun moll out in a pinch; Jennifer Tilly has
never been in stronger hands as Gershon's muscles, tank
top and plumbing skills make her the warrior to free
the fair, breathy maiden next door.
   Larry and Andy Wachowski write and direct Gershon's
character with less femininity than Xena, leading to
the suspicion that this slick mix of female skin and
glistening guns is less for lesbians than men in need
of a little fantasy.
   With one writing credit between them -- for
Stallone's Assassins -- the brothers Wachowski launch
into a murderous assault on our senses. In a bid to
become the latest screen siblings to hack out their
niche in Coen country, the boys break all the rules,
even stealing a few licks of Bernard Herrmann's music
to try and tie Hitchcock into their scheme.
   Bound is extreme from its first scene, which offers
the sound of sex in an adjoining apartment, and nothing
lets up until the last bullet has been fired at or by
Corky (Gershon) and Violet (Tilly).
   Corky thinks she's a tough kind of
beer-for-breakfast gal, but Violet's tiny voice is
linked to one voluminous brain. Behind those black bobs
are an idea or two about what to do when torture leaves
someone no longer in need of a pinky ring and leads to
the delivery of $2.176 million US in blood money.
   Bound is as an example of the way we've been so
inured to shock at the cinema that excess blood and
lesbian sex are now considered necessary to keep us
interested in what's an otherwise plodding
murder-mystery.
   At the Granville, Park & Tilford and Station Square
cinemas.

   
[548] 10-04-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Friday. Page F11. 1190
words. "The Adventure Continues for 'Xena'; Profile:
Lucy Lawless, Who Plays the Terminator-in-a-bustier
Heroine, Dishes the New Season" By Kinney Littlefield
   COMMENTARY:  In a very compact interview while in
Universal City (home office of Renaissance Pictures,
the production team behind XWP), Lucy Lawless spilled
the beans about the next season and offered her views
on fan-opinings about the show.  Although a very
action-packed interview, Kenney Littlefield did not
delve into any analysis or offer anything with more
depth than spoilers and cute quotes from Lawless.
   Ms. Littlefield is a good example of the new type of
reporter who not only reports on XWP, but obviously
watches and enjoys it too. This is clear through her
previous articles. Her previous articles included (1)
an interview with Kevin Sorbo (XMR092: 12- 03-95,
AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN, "'Hercules' star Sorbo plays
it cool"), (2) positive mentionings of XWP (XMR112:
12-24-95, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, "A Look Back at '95
Television; One Trying Year; 1995"; XMR271: 05-04-96,
ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, and "We're Outta Here";
09-01-96, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, "Critical Choices; So
much TV, so little time."), (3) her weird fantasy about
Chuck Norris and Lucy Lawless hosting the Oscars
(XMR208: 03-24-96, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER, "Oscar
program as it really should be done") and (4) her
casual reference to XWP in describing people in other
reviews (Tentative XMR326: 07-04-96, ORANGE COUNTY
REGISTER, "Summer on the Set").
   Littlefield described XWP as "part sexy action show,
part sly pop-culture parody", and evidenced the show's
rising popularity by listing all the TV parodies of the
show this season so far:  "Something So Right" and
"Almost Perfect".
   Littlefield also brought up the issue of Xena and
Gabrielle's relationship and reported that this "season
the are-they-or-aren't-they? adventures continue."
   Also discussed was the great moral shift of Xena,
the humor latent in the show, the moment Ms. Lawless'
decided to pursue acting, her brief career as a miner,
her break into professional acting, her daughter Daisy,
why she was currently reading psychology books, and
some spoilers about the second season of XWP and a guy
named Julius.
   More detailed spoilers were given about:
   "Xena Scrolls," "a parody of 'Raiders of the Lost
Ark,' Lawless and O'Connor play the descendants of Xena
and Gabrielle in the 1940s.  Here O'Connor is the hero,
the Indiana Jones character popularized by Harrison
Ford, and Lawless is the sidekick, a ditzy Southern
belle."
   "Orphan of War" "the season premiere...Xena trounces
evil marauders and re-encounters her son Solan, 9,
shades of her daughter, Daisy,  whom she left with
Centaurs for his protection shortly after birth."
[Editor's note, Solan was left with centaurs, not
Lawless' real daughter, Daisy]
   "Remember Nothing," "Xena rules again what else? and
is granted a fateful wish that will change the course
of her life."
   Also Littlefield promoted Lawless' ill-fated Jay
Leno appearance: "On Tuesday she is slated to appear on
NBC's 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno.' Watch for a
silly Xena skit." That silly skit was where Ms. Lawless
fractured her pelvis after a horse mishap causing
her an extended stay in the States and to miss the
resumption of filming in New Zealand. [KT]. 
   This eventually led to changes in several episodes
and prompted Hudson Leick to film one episode as a
totally new character, Xena-in-Callisto's Body. (TEN
LITTLE WARLORDS) [DS]
   This interview also caused quite an uproar on parts
of the Internet, such as the XenaVerse mailing list,
because Lawless mentioned that Gabrielle would get
married in the third season. That episode, RETURN OF
CALLISTO, was probably the most controversial of the
second season. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   It ain't easy being a bona fide warrior princess but
Lucy Lawless is finally cozying up.
   "Xena is so completely unlike me, I think she's a
hoot," Lawless says during a visit to Universal City,
far from her native New Zealand, where the high-buzz
series "Xena: Warrior Princess" part sexy action show,
part sly pop-culture parody is filmed.
   On TV, Xena's voice is archly American, but
off-camera Lawless sounds as Kiwi as they come.  And
her voice is surprisingly tiny  "I'm notoriously hard
to hear. "
   Clad in black slacks and striped top instead of
scanty leather combat gear, Lawless looks just as
stately but rather less sculpted than Her Mighty
Xena-ness.
   "I know, I know," Lawless, 28, admits.  "I don't
know how to deal with that. People keep coming up to
me and saying, 'I thought you were bigger.' They may
think Xena is real, but she is not reality to me.  I
use just a sliver of myself to play her.  She is just
so dour and humorless, so ironical.
   "But I'm not going to fight it. I guess I just have
to run with it now.  I, Lucy Lawless, am going to be
held up as some sort of role model, along with Xena
herself. "
   If Lawless sounds mildly discomfited by her fame as
the Flamboyant Female Terminator of ancient Greece, she
is clearly reaping its rewards.  In Hollywood you've
arrived if you're ripe for parody.  And a recent
send-up as "Thena: Warrior Goddess" on the NBC sitcom
"Something So Right," plus a skewering on the season
premiere of CBS sitcom "Almost Perfect" on Wednesday,
suggest that Xena, and Lawless, are ripe.
   Also ripe for harvest is the growing buzz about the
relationship between Xena and her faithful traveling
companion Gabrielle (Renee O' Connor) as the new season
of "Xena" begins.  Last season, "Xena" picked a peck of
publicity from the duo's relationship  lesbian if you
chose to read it that way, just heterosexual friends if
you preferred not.
   This season the "are-they-or-aren't-they? "
adventures continue.
   "Well, apropos of the special relationship between
Xena and Gabrielle, Gabrielle gets married," Lawless
begins, describing an episode slated for later in the
season, as she whispers in mock-conspiratorial tones.
   "As Gabrielle is saying goodbye, Xena kisses her and
Gabrielle hands over the bouquet  and Xena goes, 'Ha,
ha. ' "
   Here Lawless gives the laugh an ironic insider
twist.
   "That was my idea, that one  which is probably why I
think it's so damn funny.  It's just part of broadening
people's horizons.
   "You know, the show has been embraced by a lot of
political groups with its biracial angle"  the show
employs multiethnic casts, and white Xena has had a
black male lover  "and its feminist angle, although
I've never had any political pretensions.
  "Of course, it's the most natural thing in the world
that two women would be traveling together.  Then
people started reading into it things where there
wasn't any deliberate attempt.
   "There is a huge lesbian community that's right
behind us and we certainly don't want to lock anybody
out from our show, either.
   "Renee went home (to Texas) and said, 'You know,
there's all this talk about the lesbian element,' and
people said, 'What are you talking about? '
"That just made Renee and I howl with laughter.  So if
you don't want to see it, you probably won't. If you
do"  she adds a theatrical pause  "you possibly will.
Maybe we like to give our audiences what they didn't
know they wanted.  Then again, just when they think
they've got us pegged  aha! "
   Never bound by conventions herself, the duality of
Xena's sexuality suits Lawless just fine.  So does
Xena's transformation from evil murderess in her murky
past to today's righteous protectress of the helpless
and innocent as she roams through misty  and sometimes
hilariously reconstructed  classical mythology.
   It's all part of the great "Xena" goof, to which
Lawless seems well-suited.
   "I grew up in a family with a lot of ribbing going
on," she says of her childhood in Mount Albert in
"middle-middle-middle Auckland, like Middle America.
   "I went to Catholic school, where at 8 or 9 I
discovered how cool it was to be a dunce, because you
could get away with so much by just pretending to be a
dummy.  The next year, I discovered acting when we did
a dramatized version of the story of the prodigal son. 
I was the woman who met him on the road and stiffed him
out of his coins and clothes  that felt really good.    
"And now I happen to be working with people (executive
producers Robert Tapert and Sam Raimi) who also have
that twisted humor. "
   Between stiffing the prodigal son and romping
through ancient Greece in Xena's leather bustier,
Lawless worked as a miner in a remote region of Western
Australia  "taking dirt samples, jumping over lizards
and snakes and pushing ore through a diamond saw"  and
had a daughter, Daisy, now 8.
   Then came comedy work on a TV skit show, "Funny
Business," and a stint as co-host of the travel show
"Air New Zealand Holiday. "     Now "Xena" gives single
mom Lawless a five-day work week, with weekends devoted
to her daughter, renovating her house and reading
psychology books "to see what makes people tick  and
me, too. "
   Lawless: "Xena's got a very wide universe, but Lucy
doesn't really at all. " This season, "Xena's" universe
gets wider.     "If you saw Xena when she first emerged
in 'Hercules,' she'd really use her sexuality.  She was
far more of a vixen.  We go back and explore that.  We
meet her when she was merely imperialistic, prior to
her going really off the deep end.  We go back and meet
the guy who really sent her over the edge  whose name
is Julius.  I'm not telling you his surname. "
   And here's how twisted minds Tapert and Raimi will
wickedly tweak "Xena" during the important ratings
measurement period of November sweeps.  In an episode
called "Xena Scrolls," a parody of "Raiders of the Lost
Ark," Lawless and O'Connor play the descendants of Xena
and Gabrielle in the 1940s.  Here O'Connor is the hero,
the Indiana Jones character popularized by Harrison
Ford, and Lawless is the sidekick, a ditzy Southern
belle.     "We get all these flashbacks about how all
this was supposed to happen.  And they only burn
Renee's character up, driving a wedge between them.
   "That's another thing that will be happening this
season  there's a schism in their relationship, between
Xena and
Gabrielle. " In the meantime, Lawless, like Xena, has
prodigious TV tasks to perform.  On Tuesday she is=7F
slated to appear on NBC's "The Tonight Show With Jay
Leno. " Watch for a silly Xena skit.  In the season
premiere "Orphan of War," Xena trounces evil marauders
and re-encounters her son Solan, 9  shades of her
daughter, Daisy  whom she left with Centaurs for his
protection shortly after birth.
   And in episode two, "Remember Nothing," Xena rules
again  what else?  and is granted a fateful wish that
will change the course of her life.
   Kinney Littlefield is The Orange County Register's
television critic.
   'Xena: Warrior Princess'
When: 9 p.m. Saturday 
Channel: KTLA/5
   GRAPHIC: BLACK & WHITE: MYTH OR MISS? A sly=7F
ambiguity in the relationship between Xena (Lucy
Lawless, left) and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) adds to
the show's buzz.


[549] 10-05-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Saturday. Page F04. 1414
words. "New Zealand actor Michael Hurst adds literate
wit as the sawed-off sidekick in 'Hercules.'" By Kinney
Littlefield
   COMMENTARY: An interview of Michael Hurst, Iolaus on
HTLJ. Quote: "Then there's Iolaus the lover, as well as
the fighter.  Iolaus was briefly smitten with Xena's
companion Gabrielle on a crossover episode of 'Xena'
called 'Prometheus.'
   'I think we'll have another fling, too.  I keep
saying to the producers "Iolaus and Gabrielle and Their
Children" that show would have a big future. Really,
think about it.  No joke, we're both small and blond."
[KT]
   This story also includes what may be the first media
description of Renaissance Pictures' palatial
headquarters, which the writer calls "a kind of shanty
on stilts jutting over a drainage ditch at one end of
the Universal lot." [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Sidekicks rule.  Kramer is king on "Seinfeld. " Best
bud or is she something more?  Gabrielle puts the zing
in Xena's stride on "Xena: Warrior Princess. " And
Hercules' headstrong comrade Iolaus packs the real
parody punch on sly satire "Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys. "
   "Yeah, they really like to throw me into mud and
slime and stuff," agrees alter ego Michael Hurst,
reflecting on Iolaus' plight during lunch at the
Universal Studios commissary in Universal City.
   "I'm going to be dipped in a big vat of grape juice
coming up and thereafter I'll be known during the
episode as 'the crazy purple guy,' " Hurst, 38, says of
"Prince Hercules," in which Iolaus fends off an amorous
lady's advances while stewing in wine.
   "Of course Kevin (Sorbo, who plays Hercules) does
some comedy, too," Hurst adds.  "But Iolaus is
Everyman, so it's OK for him to fall over and trip up
and not look before he leaps. "
   Oddly, Hurst, born in Lancashire, England, and
raised in New Zealand, is speaking American, as he does
on pop culture-spiked "Hercules," filmed in New
Zealand.  Hurst segues easily into Valley Girlspeak
"On the episode 'King for a Day,' I got to say,
'Iolaus, King of Attica coooool! ' " His finishing
touch is a ditzy-blonde head wag straight from Reseda.
   In fact, as Hurst forks up Asian chicken salad he
keeps his 5-foot, 7-inch frame wagging intently and
attentively, rather like an eager beagle.  It's this
excess energy that enmeshes Iolaus in improbable
mythological predicaments on "Hercules." Brave but
impulsive, a guy who follows his heart, Iolaus
frequently sparks Hercules' dire, death-defying
adventures.
   True, faithful Iolaus occasionally has
the hero's spotlight to himself one-armed cartwheel
kicks and all  as on last season's "King for a Day. "
No sweat for Hurst at all, since he's an experienced
Shakespearean actor, director and fight choreographer
in Australia and New Zealand plus a singer and dancer,
and a fencing champion in his younger days.
   "You know I played Macbeth I think when I was 28
and he was actually a kind of serious Iolaus. I like
to give Iolaus some poise and at the same time some
rugged energy. I really use all my classical movement
training on the show.
   "Anyway, some journalist once asked me, 'What is a
Shakespearean actor like you doing in a show like this?
' and I said, 'What is a journalist like you asking a
question like that for?  I carry a sword, I'm brave,
I'm noble, I'm heroic. There's a lot of similarity. '"
   BEER BEFORE BARD
   In all, though, more Kiwi viewers know Hurst from
beer than Shakespeare.
   "It was a Lion Red beer commercial. I have to do it
in a Kiwi voice. "
   Here, Hurst goes into high-speed product-pitch
patter."There's only one beer we drink around here,
mate." (He pronounces it "mite.") "And, it's not blue,
black label, brown or green. It's red like a fire
engine and it comes in a bottle and a can.
   "I had short, short hair and I was jumping around
all the time.
   "It ran for two years. Even now people recognize me
more for beer than 'Hercules."
   Then there's Iolaus the lover, as well as the
fighter. Iolaus was briefly smitten with Xena's
companion Gabrielle on a crossover episode of "Xena"
called "Prometheus. "
   "I think we'll have another fling, too. I keep
saying to the producers 'Iolaus and Gabrielle and Their
Children'  that show would have a big future.' Really,
think about it. No joke, we're both small and blond. "
   On occasional episodes Iolaus even seems cleverer
than hunky hero Herc. After all, Iolaus invented
surfing on last season's episode "The Apple," directed
by Sorbo.  In a major miscalculation, Herc pooh-poohed
the fledgling sport.
   Generally, though, Hurst plays witty second fiddle
to Minnesota-born Sorbo's super-sexy Herc, who at 6
feet 3 towers over the Kiwi kid.
   "Yeah, they've got it down.  If Hercules fights
seven guys, I get to fight four.  And they usually make
me stand downhill from him, too. "
   But that's looks, not licks.  This season Hurst
struts his stuff by directing the series' premiere
episode, an unusually dark story called "The
Mercenary."
   In it, a severely wounded and weakened Herc is
stranded on a sandy island with a cutthroat criminal
named Derk (Jeremy Roberts) for his companion as
they're chased by ghoulish pirates and giant
flesh-eating sand rays. Hurst does not appear but does
voice the ferocious tones of the head pirate. Listen
for the epic line, "Tracks, fresh tracks! "
   So after lunch Hurst burrows into the dark edit
suite of executive producers Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi's
Renaissance Pictures, a kind of shanty on stilts
jutting over a drainage ditch at one end of the
Universal lot.
   As he screens footage a very wired Hurst chews hard
on a pen, choreographs the air with his fists.
   "I had hoped to do an Alfred Hitchcock (brief cameo
appearance) in this, but there was no time.
   "But hey, I'm directing an American TV show  that's
a big deal. It's pretty cool. I'll be honest with you. 
When I got the role of Iolaus, people in New Zealand
were going, 'Oh, it's an American show. And Hercules?
It won't last. ' Then there was the phase of, 'Oh,
well, it does seem to be going on a little bit. '"
   CHAOS AND CULTURE
   Now "Hercules," which began as a series of "Action
Pack" telefilms, is striding into its third season as a
globally successful series, consistently in the Top 10
or 15 of more than 110 syndicated shows in the United
States.
   And here's Hurst helming the fate of Derk and Herc
"I want to kill those pirates pow-pow-pow," as his
hands spray like bullets.
   "We want a general feeling of chaos here," he
explains with relish as a bad guy gets bloodily sucked
into the sand by a giant sand ray, screaming as he
goes.
   "We didn't want the monsters too wormy, so we made
them more insectlike.  Isn't this a great shot?
'Lawrence of Arabia'! "
   The scene, played over and over on the monitors, is
austere, shot low angle, with vast beige dunes cutting
gray New Zealand sky.
   And Hurst  slugging coffee, revolving in his chair
admits he's "thinking faster than the editing
machines."
   Married to New Zealand actress Jennifer
Ward-Lealand, with no kids, Hurst regularly keeps his
professional life spinning like a top, piling project
on project. Over summer hiatus rainy winter in New
Zealand he returned to stage work, producing and
starring in a children's pantomime "Aladdin" in
Auckland. Next summer-winter he hopes to expand
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," a 14-minute film he
produced, into a full-length feature.
   Meantime, "Hercules" will resume production this
month, which means Hurst can continue one of his
favorite pastimes of slipping sly ancient Greek
references into the campy show.
   "Well, some of the fans are picking this up.  I've
been sticking quotations from Bronze Age poets into the
show from the beginning. Some of the songs Iolaus
sings are taken from a poet called Archilochos actually
a real mercenary and poet around the time of Sappho.
   "There's a song I got in for both Iolaus and Charon
(the mythological boatman who ferried dead souls across
the River Styx to Hades). It's about this woman who
can drink wine in one go without taking a breath  and
then I stop because the rest describes the amazing
sexual antics of this person, which are very erotic.  A
fan wrote me saying, 'I challenge you to sing the rest
of that song!'"
   As always on "Hercules," Iolaus will be wearing his
signature Kiwi amulet around his neck, a Maori symbol
called a manaia (pronounced man-EYE-uh).
   "Maori elders wear them. The more elaborate ones
contain a linage.  They often represent a monster or
guardians against evil."
   They're usually made of bone or green stone.
   "Of course on the show mine is plastic, except when
I'm fighting. When I'm fighting I wear one made of
cheap sponge 'cause one day the plastic one flipped
back and chipped my tooth. If you look closely in our
fight close-ups you can really see it, man.
   It's really a different color.
   "But we think it's really neat to have something
really New Zealand on this show.  Oh, and you know you
buy manaia for other people. It's good luck to give
them. It's bad luck to buy them for yourself. "
   Kinney Littlefield is The Orange County Register's
television critic.
   'Hercules: The Legendary Journeys' When: 8 tonight
Channel: KTLA/5
   GRAPHIC: ALL IN FUN; Michael Hurst's character,
Iolaus, gets 'to fall over and trip up and not look
before he leaps.'; On cover (color); HERCULEAN FEAT;
Shakespearean-trained actor Michael Hurst, left, makes
it look easy as the wisecracking sidekick to Kevin
Sorbo's 'Hercules.'


[550] 10-05-96
   NOTE: Following are reprints of a Boston Globe story
about a new batch of children's shows.


[550a] 10-05-96
   THE BOSTON GLOBE. Saturday. Page C1. 938 words.
"Tooning in; From 'Jungle Book' prequel to a new Hulk,
kids' TV readies another batch of stars" By Michael
Saunders
   COMMENTARY: In a review of children's program
"Project G.eeK.eR" CBS, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m., the
reviewer wrote, "This one tries to hit all the bases: a
nerdy hero who capitalizes on the current smart-kid
chic, a strong woman character who is a kid's version
of Xena, an intelligent dinosaur for the all-important
saurian appeal and an archvillain in tailored suit and
tie whose profoundly nasty deeds reinforce the
evil-corporate-empire stereotype." [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   Parents are often the last to know when something is
about to leap off the television screen and onto their
children's lunch boxes.
   In the flux of children's television programming,
it's hard to keep track of what's about to grab the
interest of children. Oh, some sure things are easy to
peg, such as last year's hit, "Ace Ventura: Pet
Detective," whose goofy antics were based on the
equally silly Jim Carrey film.  But few parents had
advance notice that their little ones would go gaga
over the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles or, more
recently, last year's sensation, The Tick.
   Consider this an early warning about new weekend
cartoon shows that may hit it big in your house. For
those determined to sleep in on Saturdays and Sundays,
here's a list of the shows that may spawn the book bags
you buy next year:...
   ..."Project G.eeK.eR" CBS, Saturdays, 9:30 a.m.
   This one tries to hit all the bases: a nerdy hero
who capitalizes on the current smart-kid chic, a strong
woman character who is a kid's version of Xena, an
intelligent dinosaur for the all-important saurian
appeal and an archvillain in tailored suit and tie
whose profoundly nasty deeds reinforce the
evil-corporate-empire stereotype. The hero, Geeker, is
painfully skinny, with drool at the corner of his mouth
and unevenly sized pupils.  (Creators Doug Langdale and
Douglas TenNapel have given him just a little too much
resemblance to their previous star, Earthworm Jim.) His
protector is far cooler and has an added literary
cachet: Lady Macbeth - Becky to her friends - is an
updated version of the Bionic Woman, with a
biomechanical arm that metes out harsh justice.
   Gets good grades for: Generally snappy writing,
especially the deadpan lines of Noah, the dinosaur.
   Gets demerits for: Occasional violence and a total
lack of originality....


[550b] 10-05-96
   THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES. Saturday. Page C3. 572 words.
"Lunchbox crowd may go shopping when cartoons air"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR550a.


[550c] 10-12-96
   THE PLAIN DEALER. Saturday. Page 8E. 696 words.
"Five New Children's Shows That May Hit it Big" by
Michael Saunders
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR550a.


[551] 10-05-96
   THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE. 2 STAR Edition. Section:
Houston. Page 1. 612 words. "Italian designers dare
to bare." By Gillian Griffin.
   COMMENTARY: Well, I suppose it had to happen -- Xena
as fashion statement, but I have to admit to being
slightly baffled by this reference to our favorite
warrior in this article about the newest Italian
designs. The story notes: "What emerged on stage were
Xenas wearing perfectly sheer net and stretch tops with
white or cream leather; white, leaf-dappled long coats
over shorts and sheer tops; and sheer knits that leave
nothing to the imagination." OK, I get that leaving
"nothing to the imagination" and leather might evoke an
image of Xena, but "sheer net and stretch tops",
"leaf-dappled long coats" all done in white or cream?
[DS]
   REPRINT:
   MILAN - Just when women thought it was safe to jump
back into fashion, Italian designers are unleashing
spring '97 collections riddled with see-through
dresses, sheer blouses and skirts slit up to there.
   Will women find comfort in the see-through dresses'
matching underpants?  Or in leopard panties that match
a fringed leopard handbag?  Doubtful.  While Americans
dote on casual chic - blazers, T-shirts, khaki pants -
a flowered dress with visible matching underpants may
be a bit too casual. ...
   ...Krizia's women were silhouetted backstage,
power-walking with hair blowing in the wind, bodies
encased neck to toe in silver jumpsuits. But what
emerged on stage were Xenas wearing perfectly sheer net
and stretch tops with white or cream leather; white,
leaf-dappled long coats over shorts and sheer tops; and
sheer knits that leave nothing to the imagination.
At Krizia, at least, a large collection affords women
plenty of choices.  There are good navy and stone
jackets, caban jackets and long, one-button coats over
stovepipe pants. Celadon silk pantsuits with white
linens hint at Far Eastern influences, as do the many
patio ensembles worn barefooted or with black suede
wedgies that tie to the feet.....


[552] 10-06-96 to 11-21-96
   NOTE: Effectively rewriting his 08-18-96
DALLAS MORNING NEWS article called "Surrender! They've
taken over our culture", Jerome Weeks again brings up
how XWP reminds him of a comic book. [KT]


[552a] 10-06-96
   SUN-SENTINEL (Fort Lauderdale). Sunday. Page 1F.
1926 words. "WE'RE BEING DRAWN INTO A COMIC-BOOK WORLD"
By JEROME WEEKS.
   EXCERPT:
   The sardonic come-on in the TV ad for Sega's Comic
Zone video game says it all: "So ... you want to live
inside a comic book."
   But we already do.
   For better or worse, comics saturate our pop
culture: movies, computer games, billboards, automotive
designs, musical comedies, frozen yogurt snacks in the
shapes of cartoon characters.
   Comics are our culture; comics are us. Human beings
such as Pamela Lee, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Jim
Carrey probably wouldn't even exist in their current
forms if comic artists hadn't been fantasizing balloon
animals like them for years.
   This year alone, 25 film projects based on comics
are in the works or have been released, including The
Phantom, Barb Wire, Bordello of Blood (the Tales From
the Crypt movie) and the sequel to The Crow. The fourth
Batman blockbuster, Batman and Robin, is now shooting.
   And you can't escape them at home. On TV, Speed
Racer just became the spokes-cartoon for Volkswagen and
ESPN, and there's Lois & Clark plus the whole Cartoon
Network. All of this doesn't even count the movies and
tube shows that, although they may not have a direct
comic-book origin, clearly have a comic-book mentality.
Consider Independence Day, The Simpsons, Star Trek, The
X-Files, Ace Ventura, anything from Walt Disney, Escape
>From L.A., Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its
spinoff, Xena: Warrior Princess, and just about the
entire network schedules of Nickelodeon, Comedy Central
and The Weather Channel....
   GRAPHIC:...Hercules, starring Kevin Sorbo, is a
live-action TV series with a comic-book mentality.


[552b] 11-21-96
   THE RICHMOND TIMES DISPATCH. Thursday. Page D-4.
1722 words. "Bang! Pow! It's Pop Culture!" By Jerome
Weeks
   COMMENTARY: same as xmr552a.


[553] 10-06-96 to 10-09-96
   NOTE: Promos of Lucy Lawless' appearance on
AOL/CompuServe/Edrive. This appearance was canceled
because of Lawless' injury at the Jay Leno Show
taping. However, she did finally appear on AOL in
December 1996[KT]


[553a] 10-06-96
   THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Sunday. Page F4. 195 words.
"CYBERSCENE"
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   ...Looking ahead
   Here are some upcoming chats:
   AMERICA ONLINE: Use keyword AOL Live, then click on
Coming Attractions: Lucy Lawless from Xena: Warrior
Princess, 10 p.m. Wednesday....


[553b] 10-06-96
   DAILY NEWS (New York). Sunday. Page 40. 454 words.
"THIS WEEK ONLINE"
   COMMENTARY:  Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   ...WEDNESDAY, OCT. 9...
   ...10 p.m. Lucy Lawless, TV star, on AOL. Chat with
"Xena: Warrior Princess" star. Location: Bowl. Keyword:
Oldsmobile...

[553c] 10-07-96
   NEWS & RECORD (Greensboro, NC). Monday. Page D2. 623
words. "ON-LINE THIS WEEK"
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   Cyberbia is a listing of celebrity and expert
appearances on commercial on-line services. Chat forums
are cyberspace talk shows with audience participation.
To access these events, you need a computer, modem and
appropriate software....
   ...WEDNESDAY...
   ...10 p.m. ''Lucy Lawless, TV star'' on America
Online. Chat with ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' star.
Location: Bowl. Keyword: Oldsmobile.


[553d] 10-09-96
   THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Wednesday. Page E7. 339 words.
"CYBERSCENE"
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   Today's forums
   AMERICA ONLINE: For all chats, use keywords AOL
Live:...New Zealand actress Lucy Lawless on her
starring role in Xena: Warrior Princess, 10 p.m....


[553e] 10-09-96
   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. 234 words. "Online events of
interest to film, TV and music professionals"
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   Schedules are subject to change (all times PDT).
TODAY...6 p.m. Actress Lucy Lawless (''Xena: Warrior
Princess'')...Actress Lucy Lawless. AOL. Keyword:
Oldsmobile 7 p.m....


[553f] 10-09-96
   BPI ENTERTAINMENT NEWS WIRE. Wednesday. 246 words.
"ONLINE"
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   A weekly roundup of entertainment-related online
events. Schedules are subject to change (all times
PDT).
   TODAY...
   ...6 p.m. Actress Lucy Lawless ("Xena: Warrior
Princess"). CompuServe. Go: EDrive...
   ...7 p.m. Actress Lucy Lawless. AOL. Keyword:
Oldsmobile...


[553g] 10-09-96
   THE ATLANTA JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION. Wednesday.
Page 04B. 857 words. "Netwatch. The AJC's Daily Online
Guide. Surfers overwhelm Dole-Kemp site after the
debate" By Art Kramer
   COMMENTARY: Promo of a Lucy Lawless' on-line
appearance
   EXCERPT:
   ...If you want a Net Watch, go to
http://www.ajc.com/netwatch /sendurl.htm and tell us
about your favorite Internet address. If we pick your
pick, we'll make you incredibly famous and send you an
actual timekeeping device....
   ...Today...
   ...10 p.m.: Lucy Lawless is Xena, the warrior
princess. America Online Keyword: Oldsmobile....
Oldsmobile.


[554] 10-07-96
   VARIETY. Page 71. 1001 words. "Special Report. New
Zealand. Focus. NZ Lures O'Seas Prod'n, Partners Indies
Looking Abroad" By PAUL SMITH and DON GROVES
   COMMENTARY: In a discussion about how New Zealand
is becoming a television production center, HTLJ and
XWP are mentioned as key players which have a budget of
$1 million per episode. The article also mentioned that
"In August, the unit lensed 'Young Hercules,' a
two-hour feature for home video that also could serve
as the pilot for a spinoff series."
   And talk about a run of bad luck, "Young Hercules"
has been sitting on the shelf for a year and a half and
is only now slated for an early 1998 release. Let's
hope the Hercules/Xena animated flick (which has
already been postponed to a 1998 direct to video
release), and "Amazon High" fare better. [KT]
   At this time, it appears that part of "Young
Hercules" was worked into an episode of HTLJ shown at
the beginning of HTLJ's current, 1997-1998, season.
We're reprinting the article in full here because it
provides a detailed overview of the New Zealand
entertainment industry circa 1996. The NZ industry
employs most of the supporting players seen on XWP. For
example, the last paragraph mentions a production
called "Topless Women Talk About Their Lives," which
stars Danielle Cormack of Ephiny fame on XWP.[DS]
   And to end the story on a happy note, YOUNG HERCULES
was picked up by Foxs Kids network for a Monday through
Friday half hour run starting Fall 1998. [KT]
   REPRINT:
   Seven years after the broadcasting deregulation that
boosted their business, leading Kiwi indies
increasingly are going international. The reason: New
Zealand's market of 3.6 million people is too small for
high-fliers such as Communicado, whose "Once Were
Warriors" underlined the depth of local filmmaking
talent: Isambard and the Gibson Group.
   At the same time, the country continues to benefit
as a favored location for U.S. producers. Pacific
Renaissance's action series for MCA TV, "Hercules: The
Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess" both
are lensed near Auckland and have been renewed through
March 1998, says producer Eric Gruendemann. Budgeted at
about $1 million an episode, both series pump a lot of
coin into the local economy, as well as employing
largely Kiwi crews (apart from a few imported
directors) and actors. In August, the unit lensed
"Young Hercules," a two-hour feature for home video
that also could serve as the pilot for a spinoff
series.
   Auckland's Daybreak Pictures recently shot "Repeat
Performance," a telepic wholly financed by the Billy
Graham subsidiary Worldwide Pictures of Minneapolis.
Written and directed by Kiwi Dale Bradley, it's the
story of a gifted young musician on the run from the
police after a hit-and-run auto accident. Joseph
Manning, 18, and Lisa Crittenden head the all-Kiwi
cast.
   Communicado's expansion plans were boosted in August
by the injection of $ 2.4 million from new corporate
partner Direct Capital, which took a 32.5% share in
Communicado. Direct Capital is a Kiwi investment fund
financed by big insurance groups that invest in
growing, unlisted companies.
   "It's a significant step for us and removes any
barriers to the dramatic and exciting expansion both
domestically and internationally that faces our
business," says Communicado chairman Neil Roberts.
   Communicado's latest pic, "Broken English," was
released here Sept. 19. It next is teaming with the BBC
and Television New Zealand for a 13-part, prime time
miniseries titled "Greenstone." Framed in the culture
clash of the colonization of New Zealand in the 1850s,
it's the saga of a Maori princess, an English settler
and his rival for her hand. At home, Communicado has a
busy schedule with "The Way We Were," 22 half-hours of
nostalgia screened by TVNZ and funded by license fee
agency New Zealand On Air. A second series is now under
way.
   In addition, Communicado produced four documentaries
for TV3's "Inside New Zealand" slot and one about
parenting for TVNZ. It's prepping one docu about the
effects of welfare dependence, and another on defense,
both for TVNZ.
   Another major project is "BiZZaRRo." When the
one-hour pilot exploring the "wacky, the weird and the
wicked" screened on TVNZ's TV2 in April, it beat TV3's
"Murder One."
   It's now being developed as a series of 26
half-hours and deals are being negotiated with the
Discovery Channel in the U.S. and with Pearson for
foreign distribution, according to Communicado managing
director Mike Hutcheson.
   He says the company also is looking to create a
production services unit that would contract services,
making series or telepics for overseas production
houses.
   For the other major Auckland indie, Isambard,
production was not as brisk as the previous year,
although other activities such as distribution and
facilities have generated revenue.
   "It's not been a great year mainly because it has
taken so long to set up some projects," says founder
Tom Parkinson. His major venture is Spellbound Intl.
Pictures, a co-venture established by Isambard with
Canal Plus' Ellipse and Allegro Prods. of Canada. The
first film from that banner, "The Climb," rolled in
July, toplining John Hurt. It's the story of a
relationship between a cantankerous cancer victim
(Hurt) who befriends an adventurous teenager (Canadian
Greg Smith) with dramatic consequences. Pic is helmed
by Bob Swaim and is the first of 12 aimed at the
8-18-year-old market being shot in Europe, New Zealand
and Canada. Orion is aboard as North American distrib,
Parkinson says. 
   Production on the feature "Misty," about the
real-life murder-suicide of a leading Chinese poet in
New Zealand, was due to begin in April but now will
begin this month.
   Locally, Isambard is best known for its comedy
"Letter to Blanchy," which has been renewed for a
second series. Isambard has just begun distributing its
own product in New Zealand and Australia.
   Wellington-based Gibson Group is prepping "Alive
With Evidence," pic based on a true story about a woman
who fought the New Zealand medical establishment after
she discovered she was used in an experimental program
to treat cancer. It's been scripted by Gibson topper
Dave Gibson and is to be helmed by Yvonne Mackay.
   Gibson has a busy TV sked, including drama series
"Cover Story" for TVNZ, children's series "Mirror,
Mirror" (co-produced with Australia's Millennium) and
TV3's comedy skein "Skitz."
   TVNZ's Avalon Studios sees a big future in
repackaging the broadcaster's vast library of holiday,
lifestyle and other programs for cablers in New
Zealand, Asia and Australia, according to Avalon
managing director Rod Cornelius. Cornelius won't be
part of that future, as he retires this month after 33
years with TVNZ.
   While a bunch of TVNZ programs are lensed at the
studios, an estimated 50% of its business comes from
external productions such as the $ 6.9 million "Enid
Blyton's Adventure Series," the sequel "Enid Blyton's
Secret Series" and "Swiss Family Robinson," all for
England's Cloud 9. Avalon's the Film Unit processed
Peter Jackson's $ 22 million thriller "The
Frighteners," involving 570 separate f/x shots and
digital sound mix.
   "We had to create a system to deal with a level of
complexity we had not dealt with before," general
manager Sue Thompson says. The Unit also processed
local features "The Ugly" and "Topless Women Talk About
Their Lives."


[555] 10-07-96
   REMEMBER NOTHING. Episode no. 26 (202). First
release.
   EDITOR'S NOTE: What follows has to be the most
complete, and I think, fascinating discussion of this
pivotal XWP episode that I've ever seen. After two
synopses of the episode, Kym Taborn and Tricia Heintz
engage in a lengthy and spirited discussion of the
cosmic significance of life and XWP. One warning for
the spoiler allergic. There is a spoiler for the
third-season episode, THE DELIVERER, cleverly hidden in
an Editor's Note I inserted into Kym and Tricia's
discussion. [DS]
   AIRING AND RATING INFORMATION. 1st RELEASE: 
10-07-96. An AA average of 5.6. Competition from
Syndicated Action Dramas: (1) ST: DEEP SPACE 9
ranked 7th with 6.0; (2) XENA ranked 9th with 5.6; (3)
HERCULES ranked 11th with 5.4; (4) BAYWATCH. 2nd
RELEASE:  12/02/97. An AA average of 5.6. XWP is number
one the third time in the second season. Competition
from Syndicated Action Dramas: (1) XENA with 5.6; (2)
STDS9 with 5.2; (3) HERCULES with 5.1; (4) BAYWATCH
with 4.4
   GUEST STARS. Aaron Devitt (Lyceus); Robert Harte
(Maphias). CAST. Stephen Tozer (Mezentius); Mark
Ferguson (Krykus); (Clotho); (Lachesis); (Atropos);
(Slave boss); (Storekeeper); (Minion); (Head Guard);
(Guard #1); (Guard #2); (Caputius); (Boy). CREDITS.
Story by Steven L. Sears and Chris Manheim. Directed by
Anson Williams.
   TV GUIDE DESCRIPTION. The Three Fates offer Xena the
opportunity to erase her past -- including her younger
brother's untimely death -- but only if she vows to
never shed blood in anger again.
   SYNOPSIS #1. Synopsis #1 is brought to you by guest
synopser, Tricia Murphy (panthera@ix.netcom.com).
   Xena journeys to the Temple of The Fates to pray for
her deceased brother, Lyceus.  When the temple is
attacked, she and Gabrielle defend it successfully,
though Xena is distraught by having killed a young boy.
Xena re-enters the temple only to encounter the Three
Faces of Fate themselves: "The Maiden", "The Mother",
and "The Crone".
   Her reward for defending the temple is to be granted
a wish.  Her statements are "I want that boy's life
back" and "I wish I'd never followed the sword in the
first place".  This ultimately leads to The Fates
transforming her back to a time before Lyceus was
killed and Xena became a warrior.  The one stipulation
she is given is that she must never shed a drop of
blood in anger, or all will be undone and fate restored
to the path it was.
   The first person Xena (now wearing a dress and
looking far from a warrior) sees is her brother Lyceus
strolling towards her from the woods. All is as it was.
The village echoes with the song of the women in the
fields. People walk by and say "hello".  Merchants
display
their wares in the streets. It is "as if Xena; Warrior
Princess never existed".  But not all is well.
   Unfortunately, as a result of her past having been
changed, her mother is dead, and Gabrielle is living a
far worse life as a slave girl to the domineering slave
trader, Mezentius, who we first met in THE PATH NOT
TAKEN (episode #5). Mezentius works in partnership with
Krykus, the arms dealer introduced in HOOVES AND
HARLOTS (episode #10). Having never known Xena, the
Centaurs and the Amazons also no longer exist as a free
people.  With the bad, all the good was undone as well.
   Xena must weigh her own desires to be
the woman she could have been against many issues,
including a life of near passiveness with a friend who
has changed into a beaten and bitter slave (Gabrielle).
In the end, swamped in the middle of battling bad guys
and trying her best not to draw blood, she sees
Gabrielle viciously kill Mezentius (who was killed by
Xena originally in THE PATH NOT TAKEN after Mezentius
had killed Marcus). Lyceus turns to Xena and says
"Don't fight destiny."  This seems to be the deciding
factor for her, as Xena grabs a sword and skewers a bad
guy.  Spilling quite a bit more than a drop.
   SYNOPSIS #2. Synopsis #2 is brought to you by guest
synopser, Bluesong@aol.com.
   The show opens with Xena astride Argo, Gabrielle
walking.  They are on their way to a temple to honor
Xena's brother, Lyceus.  They reach the temple, and
Xena goes in and lights candles to the 3 Fates.  Xena
tells Gabrielle how she feels responsible for Lyceus'
death. Then there is shouting -- the temple is being
attacked.  Xena and Gabrielle rush outside; a fight
ensues.  Gabrielle shouts for Xena to look behind her
and Xena turns, and sticks a sword into a guy's
stomach.  His helmet falls off, revealing him to be a
very young man, if not quite still a child.  Xena looks
at the blood-stained sword and throws it to the ground
in disgust.  She goes inside the temple and leans
against the wall, weary.
   Then the 3 Fates appear. They tell Xena they are in
her debt because she defended their temple.
What does she want in return?  Xena says she wants that
young boy to be alive; she wishes she'd never become a
warrior, she spouts.  And then her wish is granted.
The Fates tell her all will be as if she never lived,
so long as she spills no blood in anger.  Xena goes
outside the temple; there are no bodies, and no
Gabrielle.  There's a breeze ... and Xena is dressed in
"normal" clothes, and suddenly from the clearing
emerges ... Lyceus.  Alive, for when Cortese struck in
this dimension (?) eventually Xena and Lyceus fled, and
Lyceus did not die.  Xena is thrilled.     Xena goes
back to Amphipolis -- Lyceus is looking after the Inn
-- and Xena finds that she's engaged, and has been for
the last 11 years.  She keeps putting the wedding off.
:-)  And then Xena learns that her mother is dead; she
died of a broken heart because Amphipolis was taken and
she lost her spirit.  But, "at least in this time I did
not shame you," Xena tells her mother's tomb.  [This is
a very moving moment & I cried here.] And then Lyceus
comes.
   But ... trouble looms in the horizon.  Several of
Xena's former foes -- guys she killed in the other
"dimension" -- are now banding together to take over
all, including Amphipolis.  Mezentius, the guy who ran
the arms place when Xena first reunited with Marcus
(THE PATH NOT TAKEN, episode #5), Krykus, the Warlord
from the Amazons (HOOVES AND HARLOTS, episode #10), and
Caputius (I forget where he came from -- sorry), are
together.  The Amazons and centaurs have fought, and
lost, and the Amazons are all slaves.  Several slave
leaders go into Amphipolis to "obtain" goods, and Xena
sees one of them attack a merchant; she pulls the rug
out from under him (literally).  This fellow looks a
lot like Draco.  But his slave is ... Gabrielle.  He
goes to strike Gabrielle and Xena stops him; then her
fiance' steps in and stops Xena, telling her she has to
play by the rules.  Xena and Lyceus do not like the
rules. Xena sneaks into the place where Gabrielle is
being held and gets her out, even though Gabrielle has
no idea who this woman is.  Xena takes Gabrielle back
to her "home" and gives her some of her mother's
clothing; Lyceus and Gabrielle exchange some looks and
signals that make Xena smile.  Xena tells Gabrielle
that she reminds her of her best friend, and then
describes the Gabrielle she knew in the other
"dimension" -- this Gabrielle isn't like that, though.
She has no trust.  However,  Gabrielle has told Xena of
the plan to attack, and so forces are being gathered,
supposedly, for a defense.  But Xena's fiance' sells
them out, telling them all they want is the slave girl
back.  They come to get Gabrielle, but Lyceus draws his
sword, and then Xena, Lyceus and Gabrielle are
captured.  The fiance' is conked on the head.
    Lyceus is mad at Xena, for she won't pick up a
sword.  She can't (or won't) tell Lyceus why she
doesn't fight with a sword, and he's not a happy
camper.  The warlords have put the three in separate
cages, and hung them above a pit.  Lyceus tells Xena
he'd rather be dead than living under the rule of a
warlord.  Gabrielle begins to cry.  Xena calls to her
and offers comfort. Gabrielle says, yes, it's you're
fault I'm here, and it's even worse.  I knew where I
stood in life before (as a slave) and then you came
along and gave me hope. And that is worse.  I don't
know whether to thank you or hate you. "Hate me?"  Xena
says.  And her eyes fill with tears.  "Oh Gabrielle,
I'm so sorry."  [I cried here, too.]
   The man who looks like Draco comes in, followed by
another bad-looking guy, but he turns out to be Xena's
fiance', who's realized he's screwed up. Lyceus goes
to get the warlords; Xena follows. A fight ensues.
Lots of good fighting, but Xena won't pick up a sword.
And then Gabrielle picks up a sword, and she kills
Mezentius. And Xena sees. And Xena says, "goodbye
Lyceus" and stabs the man attacking her.
   Quick cut back to real dimension; Gabrielle shouts
to Xena that someone's behind her.  This time, Xena
doesn't just stick a sword in the person; she throws
him down, gives him a second chance.
  Gabrielle moves to stand beside Xena, and then Xena
hugs her, and leaves her arm around her. Gabrielle
looks surprised. "What's that for?" "For being you,"
Xena replies.  [I cried here, too] "Are you alright?
You don't seem like yourself."  Gabrielle looks
quizzingly at Xena, and the two start to walk off, but
Xena doesn't return to the temple.
   THE DISCUSSION.
   KYM and TRICIA: Our discussion began on the subject
of Xena "choosing her old life with Gabrielle over the
life of her brother".
  TRICIA: I just don't see this as being an accurate
conclusion.  I don't see how Xena demonstrated loving
one more so over the other. Just as much, yes.  And in
slightly different ways.  And I agree completely with
your synopsis below.
   KYM: I found that Xena actually merged Lyceus and
Gabrielle. This was especially shown when Xena was
looking at both of them when Lyceus was checking out
Gabrielle.
   I didn't see Xena as caring more for Gabrielle than
her brother. Her brother gave her permission to care
about Gabrielle. Actually, there was some projection
going on. Xena realized that Gabrielle was the
continuation of her brother. When Lyceus went on about
destiny that was the key. Then when Xena turned and saw
Gabrielle kill, she knew she had to go back. I wouldn't
say that was favoring one over the other.
   TRICIA: I wouldn't either. Let's not forget, too,
that Xena's mother had died in the altered destiny.
The two being Destiny No. One: Xena shames her mother
by being the bad warrior and leading many to their
deaths. Destiny No. Two: Xena's mother dies and never
has to go through the heartache Xena had caused in #1.
Yet she dies in the battle that the new Xena didn't
stop. This was yet another choice to weigh in her
decision to stay on the new path or return to what was
her true destiny.
   KYM: Another irony. The Fates were obviously trying
to get Xena to realize that she was who she was because
of fate. Is that a pun, or what?
   This episode has given the Xena-Gabrielle
relationship a mystical basis. The friendship now seems
to be Xena's destiny. On one level Lyceus was talking
about fighting the bad guys as Xena's destiny. But when
Xena fought the bad guys before she became a bad guy
first, then rediscovered her original path through
GAUNTLET and UNCHAINED HEART, and THEN discovered that
she had difficulties keeping away from her blood
lust...that is where Gabrielle comes in. Gabrielle
plays the function that Lyceus used to serve for Xena;
that is Xena's moral bearing.
   When Lyceus made his destiny comments, what happened
almost immediately? Gabrielle killed someone whom Xena
killed in her original alternative life. Thus
Xena-Gabrielle relationship has now taken on a deeper
meaning.
   TRICIA: The new Gabrielle also had a troublesome
choice to weigh. She wasn't the cheerful, wise, little
bard destiny had made her. And worst of all, she had
been caught on camera without makeup and a hairbrush!
In a way, yes, she was swiftly becoming what Xena had
been. A bitter soul who would seek revenge.
   KYM: And so was Lyceus. It was like the times
demanded a warped person who would sacrifice their
humanity in order to rid the area of their overage of
warlords. Xena was that lamb. But she was extremely
successful. Finally she "found her way" before she
completely went over to the dark side. She basically
took that burden from Lyceus and Gabrielle. Oh no,
Christ metaphors again! The Three Fates allowed Xena
to see that. However, why did they?
   She said all she wanted was the boy's life back. Why
did the Three Fates make her go through all that before
saving his life? Perhaps because she was to "protect"
another youth from the killing way, just as she was to
protect Gabrielle.
   TRICIA: Why?  Because her wishes to the Fates were
definitely connected.  She says "I want that boy's life
back." and "By the gods, I wish I'd never followed the
sword in the first place."  Xena was definitely tired
of killing off young men,  like her brother, who had
been caught in ways of war.  Thus, to go back and do
nothing, (which would have been a better title for this
episode, "Do Nothing") only left other, worse people,
to do the killing.  Only they killed the more innocent.
   KYM: Exactly. Xena took on the task for herself
because, heck, that's just the kind of gal she is!
After this episode, I am going to be very surprised
if they ever have Gabrielle kill anyone. [Kym's note:
Eek, that was found to be a bad call -- TWICE!!!]
   TRICIA: I wouldn't really. Imagine the episode
where Gabby finally does someone in... (more than
likely accidentally, in the heat of defense.) I could
see that happening.  I could also see the
soul-searching she would be likely to do.  Might just
send her back to her home village as she did in THE
PRODIGAL (episode #18). [Kym's note: In retrospect,
Gabrielle did go back to her home village, at least
metaphorically in THE BITTER SUITE, while dealing the
loss of her blood innocence in THE DELIVERER and again
in MATERNAL INSTINCTS.]
   KYM: I don't know. By tying this to an encounter
with the Fates, and by Xena giving up Lyceus one more
time for Gabrielle. It'd be a real slap in the face,
eh?
   [EDITOR'S NOTE: Or should I call this, The Editor
Butting In? Wayback-Machine Journalism is wonderful.
From our perspective of more than a year later, we now
know that Gabrielle does indeed kill someone in a later
episode.(DS)]
   KYM and TRICIA'S COMMENTARIES.
   KYM'S COMMENTS:
   Xena is rapidly taking on "Christ-like" tendencies.
How annoying since I have already written an essay on
how Xena IS NOT Christ-like. Heh heh. Those writers
must hate me! Anyways, back to Xena.  Perhaps becoming
"Christ-like" is the price of being so
"self-sacrificing". Think about it. Xena killed the
slavetrader, Mezentius in THE PATH NOT TAKEN. In the
alternative reality Gabrielle kills him. Xena takes on
Gabrielle's sins in the proper timeline, so she did not
have to lose her blood innocence.
    Also, the idea of "eternal" bonding should be
explored. The romantic in me likes that. In the
REMEMBER NOTHING alternative reality, Xena played the
part that Gabrielle played in the regular XENA "real
world". The alternative Xena chased Gabrielle and
slowly worked on building her trust; where it was
Gabrielle who did the chasing in the original timeline.
Like the original Gabrielle, the alternative Xena never
gave up. Xena originally was the bitter and closed-in
one, while in the alternative reality Gabrielle plays
that part. This implied (among other things!) that no
matter what TIMELINE we are in, Xena and Gabrielle
would always fulfill a need in the other.
   See what I mean by mystical bonds now?
   TRICIA: Definitely. I agree. Yet on the other
hand, just as it is with Callisto and their far less
appealing bond, Mystical bonds aren't always good. But
they are our destiny. Little loose ends that pop up to
say "it's pay-back time!"  I don't think Xena would
have handled watching Gabrielle turn into what she had
been and creating her own Callistos.  If the mystical
bond theory holds true, then even the bad ones must
reappear with the rest.)
   TRICIA'S COMMENTS:
   TRICIA: To clarify, and to also wander off on
another branch of the fate theory, I am saying that
there is also a definite bond between Xena and the bad
she did as well as the good.  However, I am uncertain
if Callisto would have then grown up good, or if
Gabrielle would have created her in this alternate
reality.  If the fates hold true, Callisto was probably
destined to be bad. Imagine yet another twist that
would have been caused if Callisto had been in this
episode.  I am saying that, in the alternate  fate, the
bond between Gabrielle and Xena would not have been a
good one, in my eyes.  I think it could have easily
become a living nightmare for Xena.
   Then again, I feel that the fates were irrelevant.
We must keep in mind that you are speaking with someone
who doesn't  believe in the fate theory.  To elaborate
would make this episode  discussion even more lengthy
with side notes on "Fate vs We Are In Control of Our
Destinies".  (Perhaps you and I can write a lengthy
article on this controversial subject for an upcoming
issue of WHOOSH!.)  To me, life is like trying to
choose the correct goblet in the Holy Grail Scenario.
You either  "Choose Poorly" or you "Choose Wisely". To
say that Xena is the way she is because fate said so
just doesn't jive with me.
   KYM: Pooh pooh! What a sourpuss! I didn't mean fated
to be together throughout time as a real event in our
existence, but as a literary device. My point, and I do
have one, is that the producers have raised some issues
regarding the relationship between the two friends
(Xena and Gabrielle, just in case I have already lost
some one). As I mention below in the Highlights section
of this wordy discussion, REMEMBER NOTHING, along with
THE XENA SCROLLS (future episode), may support this
theory of their souls being "gravitated" towards each
other in each projected lifetime or timeline. [Kym's
note: At least I was right on that!]
   KYM'S COMMENTS: I felt that Lyceus and Gabrielle
were merging into the same person. Heh heh. Obviously
Lyceus and Gabrielle were  attracted. But they were
also very similar. I think Xena realized that Gabrielle
filled the function of her brother. I guess making her
a sister. Anyways, the episode did make their bonds
more strong.
   REMEMBER NOTHING is a very subtle Gabrielle-Xena
story. And Xena has come to terms with some very
weighty matters in her life. In DREAMWORKER (episode
#3) Xena had to battle her old warlord self in order to
rescue Gabrielle. Now, she had to battle her
pre-warlord self to rescue Gabrielle!  What does that
leave in terms of personal growth...she has to explore
the NOW. And who is that with? Gabrielle.
   TRICIA: Not to mention she again got away from that
really annoying man she was supposed to marry!!!
   KYM: That was probably the real reason she stabbed
that guy!!!
   From the first time I heard about the show, I had an
inkling it would be a spiritual sequel to DREAMWORKER.
REMEMBER NOTHING is from a Steven Sears story. Steven
Sears wrote DREAMWORKER.  Maybe I should write to him
and ask him whether it was conceived of from the get-go
as a DREAMWORKER sequeloid.
   The sequels in XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS are not
traditional ones. They use concepts and symbols not
plot and characters. E.g., THE RECKONING (episode #6)
and TIES THAT BIND (episode #20) are clearly mirror
image episodes. In RECKONING, Xena hits Gabrielle to
gain consciousness; in TIES, Gabrielle hits Xena to do
the same; in DREAMWORKER Xena fights her warriorself
for literally possession of Gabrielle; and in REMEMBER
NOTHING, Xena fights her pre-warriorself for the same
prize. Interesting.
   HIGHLIGHTS:
   More thoughts on REMEMBER NOTHING from KYM: There
were lots of balances in the episode:
   Xena is pretty brutal in both her first kill of the
episode and her final kill. Both were anonymous
skewerings, i.e., they were not the "cast name" bad
guys.
   TRICIA'S COMMENT: Not to mention the sword was
bloody.... Yes, folks, the sword was actually BLOODY!!!
I mean, there was BLOOD!  (Get my drift, yet?)  This
gave the brutalness of killing just enough emphasis to
make it more "real" to us. In this way it punctuated
the point they were trying to make.
   As for highlights, I liked the little "don't drink
and drive" message the guard gave to the driver of the
cart that Xena was hiding in.
   BACK TO KYM: What about the underlying moral dilemma
of what happened to all those anonymous people the old
Xena and her armies  sliced and diced? It is implied
that if the old Xena didn't exist, the other bad guys
would pick up the slack. However, had the old not
existed, the new Xena would neither (remember, the Xena
that the Fates restored was a Xena living the life of
the pre-pre-redemptive Xena -- meaning before the bad
girl took over). It's the new Xena which would be
sorely missed in the world and not have others take up
the slack...except for people like Lyceus, but he was
for spilling blood in defense.
   It's Gabrielle who informs her of the kid about to
strike (before she knows he's a kid). Is this
significant? Heck, everything else is.
   TRICIA: Well, then it must be.  But why?... heck if
I know.
   KYM: And The Fates say "draw a drop of blood in
rage"...could she figure out a way to kill without
rage, or does Xena only kill in rage?  Was that what
Xena and Toris were really discussing in the dungeon in
DEATH MASK (episode #24)?
   TRICIA: Maybe she would have went mental and killed
people in happiness.  Who knows.
   #2)I haven't the foggiest idea.
   KYM: Was the temple the result of the bad Xena's
existence, or did the Fates move her to another area?
   TRICIA:  My opinion is that One had nothing to do
with the other.  But that is, of  course, debatable.
   KYM: I found it interesting that they wanted to show
that Gabrielle had been whipped but they didn't want to
show it happening to her, so they had some poor bloke
whom the audience had nothing invested in to show how
horrible it was to be whipped.
   TRICIA: Yeah, though we must remember that that poor
soul was somebody's son, brother, loved one.  Somewhere
there was a mother crying out during that scene and
saying "Why is my Bobby (er,..whatever the name) always
the one to suffer?  Must he be their whipping boy
whilst the prettier sort go unscathed?!?!".    We must
never forget the "little guy", Kym.  The short-bit
actor who takes on the brunt of the punishment so that
we, the hungry audience, may watch in pity.
   KYM: The loss of Lyceus had an important impact on
Xena. He apparently was her moral compass. Her loss of
him made her more  open to the temptations of power and
violence. Gabrielle fulfills that role now. What
happened between those two events to change Xena
around? She meets Salmoneous; she rescues a baby
(shades ala ORPHAN OF WAR (episode #25)?); her army
betrays her; she gets exposed to Hercules; she goes off
to seek redemption; and then who does she find?
Gabrielle.
   Why did The Fates want Xena to learn this lesson?
Was it actually their "gift' to Xena for saving the
temple? They wanted Xena to know that she was on "the
right path"; that "the path not taken" was not the best
path for "the world". Was it mere coincidence that it
was Mezentius who was killed by Gabrielle; the slave
trader from the show titled THE PATH NOT TAKEN?
   TRICIA: Wouldn't a compass and a detailed road map
of alternate realities been simpler?  Do these Fate
Women always have to do things the hard way?
   KYM: Yes, they do. It's in their job description.
   Lots of internal references:
   Lyceus' dirty face: SINS OF THE PAST (episode #1)
   Slight to wimpy Cortese: "if they think he was bad,
what will they think of us?": DEATH MASK (episode #23)
   The Destiny angle:
   Lyceus: "I'd rather die fighting" - Lyceus was
destined to die or be victorious. He could never be
victorious in that timeline, and neither was he in
Xena's original timeline. Therefore, Lyceus' destiny
was death. He was the sacrificial lamb from which
allowed Xena to fulfill her destiny (in both
destinies).  He also tells Xena "Don't fight destiny."
He was talking about more destinies than he knew about!
   Some great Lucy Lawless "in flight" scenes: going up
after the board fling and free-falling in dungeon.
   And then of course the whole Xena/Gabrielle joined
at the hip theme, which I have already discussed.
   KYM On the cross-references of XENA: WARRIOR
PRINCESS to the show LOIS AND CLARK and the upcoming
episode of XWP, THE XENA SCROLLS:
   REMEMBER NOTHING shared the same underlying plot as
the LOIS & CLARK episode SOUL MATES. Strange that they
were both released the same week!
   SOUL MATES stated that Lois' and Clark's souls were
intertwined and that whatever period of time or
soul-recycling they were involved in, their souls were
always attracted to each other like magnets. REMEMBER
NOTHING employed the same underlying concept but more
subtle.  The alternative timelime in REMEMBER NOTHING
implied that Xena and Gabrielle would be together NO
MATTER what the circumstances (and I think...oh I can
feel it in my bones...that THE XENA SCROLLS will
confirm this, that they will be together in the future
as well!).
   Although I think they would have become grand
friends in the alternative universe (which I might be
the only person on Earth with this belief!),  however,
Xena felt she had a choice to make....a Gabrielle
required to kill, or a Gabrielle who perhaps wouldn't
have to kill. Xena took the latter. Once Xena realized
that her brother was going to die fighting one way or
another (his "destiny"), there was really no more
reason to do nothing. In THE XENA SCROLLS I would not
be surprised to find Gabrielle the alpha female and
Xena the sidekick. Nonetheless...the souls are
intertwined throughout space and time ala LOIS & CLARK.
   This seems rather unique. Aside from the sexual
issues, I think this is the first time something like
this has been done about friends. I have seen deep and
meaningful stuff about bonds of friendship but never
about it existing beyond the current material plane or
time. I have seen it done as a romantic thang (ala LOIS
& CLARK, etc.). But this time it is clearly presented
as friendship based (even though it could be used as
further evidence of a lesbian relationship...however, I
think this theme goes beyond sexual preferences.
Regardless of whether the friendship is sexual or not,
the producers are definitely exploring this
relationship in ways which I have never seen on TV. I
know it's really appealing to lots of lesbians, but
it's also extremely inspirational and
fantasy-satisfying to platonic friendships between
women. And the thing that gets me is that it was
created and written mostly by a bunch of men!!!!
Doesn't this kind of punch a hole in the men are pigs
theory?????)
   TRICIA: Yet again, I agree!  As we all know, Society
and various producers have had a habit of exploiting
women as weaker and making the man the one in control
for decades. And to this day, in many circles, a woman
who is aggressive and assertive is immediately labeled
with a bad name, while a man receives  no such label
for the same characteristics.  I am so happy to see
this changing.  I don't see XWP as being either an
exploitation of the "Men are pigs!" theory, nor the
"Male Bashing" one.  Yes, men get bashed physically in
the show.  But Callisto didn't exactly get a hug from
Xena either.
   KYM: Just so I get the last word, why is it called
REMEMBER NOTHING  when Xena remembers everything? I
hope it is not as ominous as it sounds.
   DISCLAIMER:
   Xena's memory was not damaged or....what was I
saying?


[556] 10-08-96
   EDITOR'S NOTE: LL Leno appearance promos. This was
promoting the show on which LL would not appear because
of her accident. [DS]

[556a] 10-08-96
   THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE. Tuesday. Page P6B. 75 words.
'WHO'S TALKING"
   COMMENTARY: LL Leno appearance promos
   EXCERPTS:
   ..."The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" - Ellen
DeGeneres, actress Lucy Lawless, singer Luther
Vandross. 11:35 p.m., NBC....


[556b] 10-08-96
   CHATTANOOGA FREE PRESS. Tuesday. Page D6. 296 words.
"TV Highlights" By Barry Courter
   COMMENTARY: LL Leno appearance promos
   EXCERPT:
   ...TONIGHT...
   ...11:35 p.m. TONIGHT SHOW Actresses Ellen DeGeneres
and Lucy Lawless, singer Luther Vandross.   (S) (CC)
Ch.3...


[557] 10-08-96
   ABC NEWS REPORT.
   COMMENTARY: All we have is commentary on this one.
We know there was a story about Xena and/or Lucy
Lawless on ABC News on this date. Does anyone have any
information on this one? Was this a report about the
accident or something else? [DS]


[558] 10-08-96
   JAY LENO SHOW. NBC. 11:35pm. TV Show.
   COMMENTARY: Lawless' ill-fated appearance on THE
TONIGHT SHOW. Instead of featuring her appearance, THE
TONIGHT SHOW on this night featured Jay Leno reading a
statement that had been written by two public relations
officers. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...JAY LENO: Folks, on a serious note, Lucy Lawless,
who plays "Xena: Warrior Princess" on a very popular
syndicated show, was supposed to be a guest of ours on
the program tonight. She came in this afternoon to
tape a comedy bit with us, and she got thrown from a
horse right here in our parking lot and got some
injuries. So she's laid up for a little while. I'm
sorry to say, so she won't be with us tonight. From
what I'm told, she's going to be fine. She's resting
and we will have her back as soon as possible. I thank
her for being a good sport and I'm sorry that happened,
but we're going to keep you posted on how she is. It's
terrible when those things happen.  Okay, we'll check
up this week and we'll let you know."


[559] 10-09-96
   THE BOSTON HERALD. Wednesday. Page 049. 678 words.
"Xena; It's those thighs" By STEPHANIE SCHOROW
   COMMENTARY: Interview of Brenda Cox of Indianapolis,
president of the Xenite Club Newsletter and known
online as Jetthead, and Lillian Varrassi of New York,
Xenite Newsletter co-vice president and known online as
Brette, and Paul Hurd, a webpage XWP maintainer. [KT]
   The article does not mention Lawless' accident and
was probably written before it occurred. Because the
main source of out-of-town news, Associated Press, did
not immediately send a story on the accident, it is
likely that many editors were not aware that it had
happened.
   One note courtesy of Wayback-Machine Journalism: The
Xenite Club went through an odyssey of its own. By the
end of 1996, Lawless had sanctioned the club and it
changed it's name to The Official Lucy Lawless Fan
Club. By spring 1997, Lawless apparently withdrew her
support, and her fan interactions were turned over to
The Official Xena Fan Club run by Creation
Entertainment. By the end of 1997, the club, which was
once again named The Xenite Club, closed down it's web
site and ceased to exist. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   It's those thighs. Long, muscular and massive as a
young oak. And the sneer, contemptuous and controlled,
framed by inky tresses. And that iron breastplate, as
inviting as a Gothic fortress.
   Don't let that metal-studded leather miniskirt fool
you. This ain't no "Baywatch" babe.
   This is Xena, warrior princess, heroine of the
cult-hit syndicated TV series that crosses "Wonder
Woman" with "Thelma and Louise." You got a problem with
that?
   "Xena: Warrior Princess," airing Saturdays at 9 p.m.
on Ch.56, follows the adventures of Xena, (Lucy
Lawless) and her plucky young sidekick Gabrielle (Renee
O'Connor), as they roam a mythical countryside battling
barbarians, centaurs and the odd rabid horde.
   Xena first appeared in March 1995 as a power-lusting
princess on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." In
later episodes, Xena and Hercules became allies, then
lovers. In fall 1995, Xena pulled off a true feminist
coup: She got her own series in which she protects the
innocent and battles evil and the
courtesy-challenged.
   A blend of costume-drama mythology, kung fu fights
and campy one-liners, "Xena" has spawned a legion of
fans - self-described as Xenites - making it the most
successful syndicated show last year.
   Xena may look as if she sprang full grown from
male-fantasy pulp fiction, but the character has become
a '90s icon of female empowerment. Via the cult-maxing
medium of the Internet, Xenites - ranging from young
girls to middle-aged mothers - maintain fan Web pages,
swap pictures and discuss the Gabby-Xena friendship.
"It's hard to put a finger on what we love about Xena,
but I think it's that she is able to take care of
herself," said one of those middle-aged fans, Brenda
Cox of Indianapolis, president of the Xenite Club
Newsletter. "She doesn't have to depend on anyone else.
I have gotten so many letters from women who have just
about given up on themselves because of being
overweight or bad marriages. Some women have been
raped, some are terminally ill. But through Xena, they
have found the courage to help themselves."
   Yet Xena is not all bicep and bravado. She's
"someone who has had a dark past. And who hasn't?"
noted Lillian Varrassi of New York, Xenite Newsletter
co-vice president. Xena continuously wrestles with
guilt over her Termatrix period. Sweet-natured sidekick
Gabby not only acts the golly-gee, Holy Rabid Horde
role, but her unswerving loyalty demonstrates the
healing power of friendship.
   About that friendship. Ah, don't ask, don't tell.
The show has attracted a huge following among gay
women, and producer Robert Tapert has played coy in
interviews when asked about Xena's sexual orientation.
   Read into it what you want, fans say. "If people
want to see it, they'll see it," Varrassi said.
"(Producers) want to include everyone, they don't want
to lock out any one group."
   Xena has not only notched her lipstick case with
Hercules' name, she has loved - passionately - a black
warrior named Marcus. She also has a son.
   "I see Xena and Gabby as the best of friends, even
closer than many sisters," Cox said.
   Said Varrassi, "I see a very strong character. I see
a very strong friendship. I see that empowerment."
   In July, that PC arbitrator Ms. magazine trumpeted
Xena as a wonderful feminist role model. For would-be
Xenites, it was the equivalent of the surgeon general
announcing chocolate fudge sauce was good for you.
   Men like Xena, too. Paul Hurd, 32, of Beverly, is a
huge fan, complete with Web page. A desktop publisher,
he was first drawn to Xena's comic-book aura, then he
got into the characters. Unlike Wonder Woman, Xena
never needs a guy to get her out of jam.
   He likes her attitude: "If you don't like it, that's
too bad." Adding, "I like strong women personally; all
my girlfriends have been very strong, opinionated
people."
   Xena may be bodice-bolstering camp, but she does for
a generation of women what James Bond did for a
generation of men - provide a healthy dose of escapism
with a twist of the topical. Contact the Xenite Club
Newsletter via e-mail: brette4635@aol.com.


[560] 10-09-96
   XENA:WARRIOR PRINCESS NETFORUM. Universal
Channel. http://www.mca.com/tv/xena
   COMMENTARY: This is merely the first example of how
fan communication channels via the Internet provided
quicker and more complete information about Lucy
Lawless' accident than official channels. What follows
is a reprint of NBC-TV and MCA/Universal's first
official press release on the subject, which was
released the day after the accident and posted to the
Xena NetForum by Xenastaff, who was later revealed to
be Robert Mellette, a production assistant who worked
for Supervising Producer Steve Sears and Producer Liz
Friedman.
   The night of the accident, Mellette posted a quick
note to the NetForum, telling fans that Lawless had
fractured her pelvis and would be OK.  The irony is
that any fan who was online at the time knew far more
about what had happened, then people relying on either
official press releases (like this one) or news
reports. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Xena: Warrior Princess NetForum - Universal Channel
   Official Press Release
   From: (Xenastaff)
   Date: 9 Oct 1996 12:07:23
   This just came to our office, and I've been
authorized to post it here. STATEMENT FROM NBC AND MCA
TV REGARDING LUCY LAWLESS (XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS)
Actress Lucy Lawless was injured yesterday (Oct. 8)
when she fell from a horse after the animal lost its
footing during the taping of a comedy sketch for "The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno." Paramedics treated Lucy
Lawless after the mishap outside "The Tonight Show"
studio and transported her to a local area hospital,
where she was hospitalized in stable condition with
pelvic fractures.
   During the show, Leno acknowledged the accident,
saying, "Folks, on a serious note, Lucy Lawless, who
plays "Xena: Warrior Princess" on a very popular
syndicated show, was supposed to be a guest of ours on
the program tonight.  She came in this afternoon to
tape a comedy bit with us and she got thrown from a
horse right here in our parking lot and got some
injuries.  So she's laid up for a little while, I'm
sorry to say, so she won't be with us tonight. From
what I'm told, she's going to be fine. She's resting
and we will have her back as soon as possible. I thank
her for being a good sport and I'm sorry that happened,
but we're going to keep you posted on how she is. It's
terrible when those things happen. Okay, we'll check up
this week and we'll let you know."
   That's the official press release issued this
morning. I'm sure you're now upset because it doesn't
tell you anything you didn't know already, but that's
the way these things go."
   I'd like to clarify some confusion I'm seeing about
"breaks vs. fractures."  A "broken pelvis" is
devastating and can be crippling. Lucy only has
fractures (cracks). Not nearly as serious.


[561] 10-09-96
   XENAVERSE MAILING LIST. (xenaverse@umail.umd.edu)
   COMMENTARY: During the period immediately after the
accident, the XenaVerse mailing list became one of the
best places for information because it was the Internet
home base to Tyldus aka Supervising Producer Steve
Sears, who took on the role of unofficial spokesman
during this period. Sears would post messages to
XenaVerse first and ask that they be reposted other
places, which fans would do. Within minutes, the
information would be flashed around the world, once
again giving online fans far greater access to
information than those who had to rely on news reports.
Ironically, MCA/Universal had forbidden staff to post
to the NetForum, so Tyldus' messages had to be reposted
there by fans.
   Sears posted this message after he visited Lucy
Lawless in the hospital on the day after the accident.
Note that Sears mentions that there will be "several
weeks recovery time." Lawless returned to work about
seven weeks later for the filming of THE QUEST, a light
duty episode, which only required her to stand once.
[DS]
    REPRINT:
   Subject: A Message From Lucy
   From: Tyldus@aol.com
   No, this is not a message from Lucy.  But I did just
see her and told her all the good thoughts the
"Internetties" were sending her way. That brought a
smile to her face. She said she felt guilty that so
many had shown up to see her and she felt she had
disappointed them. I told her that none of you had
felt that way and only wished her a speedy recovery.
She also commented that no one has fans like she does.
She's right on the mark with that one. Anyway, she
looked a little worse for the wear but was in good
spirits. We're looking at several weeks recovery time,
but she'll be up at around with no long term effects.
Anyway, for all who have sent me personal e-mail, I
hope you understand that I can't reply at the moment.
Obviously thinks have gotten a little busier over here
and my participation is going to be limited at best.
Thanks again to all of you.  Take care and keep the
good thoughts. Tyldus


[562] 10-09-96
   XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS NETFORUM - Universal Channel
   Contributed by rudeboy
   COMMENTARY: Press release advertising HTLJ and XWP's
successes.
   REPRINT:
   MCA TV GROUP NEWS RELEASE
   MCA TV's "HERCULES" and "XENA" PERFORM STRONGLY IN
SEASON DEBUTS
   Action series finish One-Two in third quarter;
Significant Major Market Upgrades This Fall.
   MCA TV's third-quarter ratings champs, "Hercules:
The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess"
kicked off the 1996-97 season with strong ratings in
the top metered markets, according to overnight Nielson
results On WPIX-TV New York, the season debut episode
of "Hercules" garnered an 8.5 rating/14 share at 8pm
Saturday - placing second in the time period and
marking its third best performance yet in the nation's
top-ranked market - with a second run at 12:30 pm
Sunday delivering a 6.6/18.  The Sunday airing defeated
the first and second runs of every other action hour
for the week. "Xena", meanwhile, surpassed its previous
high mark with an 8.5/14 at 9 pm Saturday, tying
"Hercules" for the best first run action-hour
performance of the week.  It ranked second in the
time period, beating network primetime lineups on the
ABC and FOX stations, as well as baseball playoffs on
the NBC outlet. 
   In the no 2 market of Los Angeles, the strong man
earned a record-setting 7.9/14 at 8 pm Saturday on
KTLA.  That placed "Hercules" first in the time period
and second to "Xena" among all first-run action hours
for the week. Companion "Xena" which airs at 9 pm
Saturday on KTLA, led all action hour competitors,
collecting an 8.7/15 for its best delivery ever in Los
Angeles.
   Overall, "Hercules" also had an impressive first
week metered market ratings in Dallas, Boston, Detroit,
Houston and West Palm Beach.  "Xena" harvested big
numbers in Houston, Kansas City, Dallas, Boston,
Detroit, Sacramento, St. Louis and Orlando. 
   "As the ratings and a growing number of imitators
indicate, 'Hercules' and 'Xena' are now firmly
entrenched as the top action-fantasy hours in the
first-run arena, " said Jim McNamara, president, MCA
Worldwide Television Distribution.  "The broad appeal
of these two quality programs is reflected in the
demographics, which shows them performing extremely
strong among men and women of all age groups." 
   During the third quarter of 1996, "Hercules" was the
top-rated syndicated action hour with a 5.3 household
rating in the Nielson national barter rankings. 
Through Sept. 22, it had topped "Star Trek:Deep Space
Nine" for 11 consecutive weeks and led in most of
the key demographic categories.  "Xena" outpaced "DS9"
in households with a 4.8 household rating. The ratings
growth comes in the wake of numerous major market
upgrades for "Xena", including KHTV HOuston, which
moved it from 3 to 6 pm Saturday; KPLR St, Louis where
it airs at 8 pm Tuesday after appearing in a midnight
Monday berth on KTVI; and WNOL New Orleans, where it
moves from 6 pm Saturday (first run) and 10 am Sunday
(second run) to 7 pm Tuesday (first run) and 6 pm
Saturday (second run).
   "Hercules", which received many upgrades last
season, continues its good fortunes this fall.  Among
the stations moving it to better time periods are KPLR
St. Louis, where it switches to 7 pm Thursday from
10:30 pm on KTVI.  In fact, KPLR is providing both
"Hercules" and "Xena" with second runs.
 

[563]  10-10-96 to 10-14-96
   EDITOR'S NOTE: Following are citations for the TV
coverage of Lucy Lawless' injury. [DS]


[563a] 10/10/96
   ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT.

[563b] 10/10/96
   AMERICAN JOURNAL.

[563c] 10/10/96
   E! NEWS DAILY

[563d] 10/10/96
   ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT

[563e] 10/12/96
   KTLA

[563f] 10/14/96
   ET

[563g] 10/14/96
   CNN Headlines


[564] 10-10-96 to 11-10-96
   EDITOR'S NOTE: Following are citations for the
newspaper coverage of the accident. [DS]

[   a] 10-10-96
   NEWS TRIBUNE. Thursday. Page A18. 493 words. "Xena
Star Lucy Lawless Hurt on 'Tonight Show'" By Stephanie
Reader
   COMMENTARY: Fandom's very own Stephanie Reader may
have broken the story of Lawless' injury to the print
media. Looking at this from a sociological point of
view (I'm not kidding), this is the single most
important article that was written about the accident.
I make that somewhat pompous claim because this article
shows the impact the Internet is having on our society.
In some ways, the Internet has already begun to usurp
the role of the mainstream news media. Stephanie
Reader's article is the proof.
   Before her article appeared, the Associated Press
had ignored the story. After her article and a Boston
Globe story was published, AP picked up the story, and
it was reprinted and broadcast around the country. The
actions of AP are particularly significant because AP
is the central source of information for all mainstream
media in the United States. In other words, if a story
does not appear on AP, it often does not appear in news
broadcasts, newspapers and magazines around the
country. To make the situation even more interesting,
Reader's article was based on information gathered from
the Internet. She quoted accounts posted to Xena
mailing lists by fans who watched the filming of the
skit and saw the accident. 
   One more note: Some fans at first thought the horse
had fallen on Lawless. Later, Lawless said in
interviews that the horse had not. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Action star Lucy Lawless has a new role - Xena:
Wounded Princess.
   Lawless suffered a broken pelvis when she was thrown
from a horse Tuesday night while filming a comedy bit
for "The Tonight Show." Needless to say, she didn't
appear on that night's show. An apologetic Jay Leno
said she would be on "as soon as possible."
   A producer of the show said Lawless will be fine
"but she has some recuperating to do."
   The injuries may delay production of Lawless' show,
"Xena: Warrior Princess," a syndicated hit seen locally
on Channel 13. The show is on a break that was supposed
to end in two weeks, an MCA TV spokesman said. However,
there are 10 episodes already filmed.
   Some fans of the Xena ("Xenites") came from around
the country for the show. One said he saw her horse
skid on the pavement outside an NBC entrance, sending
Lawless flying over its head. She fell, arms forward to
protect herself, then the horse landed on her....


[564b] 10-10-96
   THE BOSTON HERALD. Thursday. Page 057. 369 words.
"Around the Dial"
   COMMENTARY: This story was probably not based on
Stephanie Reader's report because it appeared the same
day as her story did. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...XENA ZAPPED: Lucy Lawless apparently isn't as
invincible as the character she plays on TV's "Xena:
Warrior Princess."
   Lawless was to appear on NBC's "Tonight Show With
Jay Leno" on Tuesday but ended up in the hospital
instead.
   As Leno explained during Tuesday's show, Lawless
fell off of a horse while taping a comedy sketch for
the "Tonight Show." Her publicist said that Lawless was
hospitalized with pelvic fractures...


[564c] 10-11-96
   USA TODAY. Friday. Page 2D. 131 words. "Xena's
injury no pratfall" By Ann Oldenburg
   COMMENTARY: This is the first of the many mainstream
news stories that reported the accident. All provide
the basic facts and little else. This report also shows
a continuing theme in the media coverage, the idea that
the accident proves that "Xena is not invincible after
all." At times, these accounts seemed to take delight
in having evidence that the actress behind the
character was not all powerful. Frankly, I think this
is a bit weird as if the writers were confusing the
real human being (Lawless) with the character (Xena).
This could also be a sign that some folks are still
uncomfortable with the idea of a strong woman. However,
it's just as likely that these comments are yet another
example of the dreadful Let's-Be-Cute Journalism where
wit is considered to be more important than fact. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Xena is not invincible after all.
   Lucy Lawless, who plays the popular warrior princess
on the syndicated cult TV show, was taping a comedy
segment for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno in Los
Angeles on Tuesday when the horse she was on lost its
footing.
   Lawless fell on the parking lot where the bit was
being rehearsed and paramedics were called. She was
then taken to a local hospital and treated for pelvic
fractures. On Thursday, she was in stable condition.
   A spokesman says that she will be laid up for four
to six weeks but that the injury will have minimal
impact on the show. Lawless had completed 10
episodes,=7F
which will take the show to the end of the year.
   Says Leno, "I thank her for being a good sport and
I'm sorry that happened."


[564d] 10-11-96
   THE TORONTO SUN. Friday. Page 63. 146 words.
"Warrior Princess Felled. Horse Throws Xena Star Lucy
Lawless" By Claire Bickley
   COMMENTARY: Another example of confusion between
actress and character. The report adds nothing new,
except to give some inaccurate information about the
episodes that would be used to cover for Lawless'
accident. This story notes that Xena will go "missing."
Her body disappeared for a bit, but she didn't, a
situation that can only occur in the alternative world
known as the XenaVerse. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   A spooked horse has done what vengeful warlords and
meddlesome Gods failed to do - toppled TV
action-adventure heroine Xena: Warrior Princess.
   Actress Lucy Lawless is recuperating after
fracturing her pelvis in Los Angeles Tuesday while
preparing a stunt for a The Tonight Show appearance.
   A spokesperson for MCA Television, producers of the
popular syndicated fantasy series, said Lawless was in
the parking lot of NBC's Burbank studios when her horse
fell. It will be about eight weeks before she can
return to work on the show's New Zealand set.
   Enough episodes are completed to run until early
December when the show was scheduled to go into reruns.
A story line about Xena going missing has been quickly
written to cover Lawless' absence from the first three
January episodes. Xena, which airs locally on Global
and CKVR, began its second season last week.


[564e] 10-11-96
   REUTERS NORTH AMERICAN WIRE. Friday. 986 words.
"Reuters/Variety Entertainment Summary"
   COMMENTARY: Basic information on the accident. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...'Xena' Star Injured In Accident
   The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is in stable
condition after a fall this week. Lucy Lawless
fractured her pelvis after falling from a horse while
practicing a skit for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
A spokesman for the syndicated show says production
will be only minimally affected. The series is on
hiatus with 10 episodes in the can that will last
beyond the November sweeps period. "She's going to be
fine," the spokesman said. "It may just take a couple
of shows for her to get back into it."...


[564f] 10-11-96
   REUTERS NORTH AMERICAN WIRE. Friday. 898 words.
"Reuters/Variety Entertainment Summary"
   COMMENTARY: Basic information on the accident again,
but this article provides an opportunity to look at the
confusion about whether Lawless' pelvis was broken or
fractured. Stephanie Reader also reported that her
pelvis was broken. As far as I can tell, in a technical
sense it may have been, but not in the sense that most
folks visualize when they think "broken."
   According to the medical people who were online and
lectured us about the subject, every kind of break is a
technically considered to be a fracture from the
smallest to the largest. Lawless suffered what Mellette
described online as "cracks". The bone did not break
apart and did not separate. What this meant was that
instead of being out of work for many, many months,
Lawless was able to return to filming in about seven
weeks. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ..."Warrior Princess" Takes a Fall
   Lucy Lawless, the sword-swinging star of the TV
series "Xena: Warrior Princess," is in stable condition
after falling from a horse. She broke her pelvis while
practicing a skit for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
A spokesman for the syndicated series says Lawless is
going to be fine and production of the show won't be
affected much. "Xena" is on hiatus with 10 episodes in
the can- enough to last beyond the November ratings
period.


[564g] 10-11-96
   THE ATLANTA JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION. Friday. Page
05F. 726 words. "Rodman fits right in on RuPaul talk
show" By Bob Longino
   COMMENTARY: Basic information on the accident. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...SEEN AND HEARD
   'Xena' star hurt
   Syndicated's "Xena: Warrior Princess" is down, but
not out. Lucy Lawless, who stars as the ancient
fighting female, is in stable condition in a Los
Angeles hospital after falling off a horse earlier this
week while taping a comedy sketch for "The Tonight Show
With Jay Leno." Lawless suffered a fractured pelvis,
according to MCA/TV publicist Jim Benson. "What she
needs is bed rest and recuperation," Benson says. The
accident's effect on the production of "Xena" is
expected to be minimal. "Xena," which films in New
Zealand, already has 10 new episodes in the can. A
joint statement from NBC and MCA/TV said Lawless fell
after the horse lost its footing.


[564h] 10-12-96
   THE WASHINGTON POST. Saturday. Page C03. 508 words.
"Names & Faces"
   COMMENTARY: Some old stuff on the accident.
   EXCERPT:
   ...'Xena': A Fallen Star
   "Xena: Warrior Princess" will have to sit out a few
adventures while star Lucy Lawless recovers from a
fractured pelvis. Lawless injured herself this week
after falling off a horse while
rehearsing a skit for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
According to a spokesman, the actress is in stable
condition and production of her syndicated hit show
will be only minimally affected....


[564i] 10-12-96
   REUTERS NORTH AMERICAN WIRE. Saturday. 982 words.
"Reuters/Variety Entertainment Summary"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564e.


[564j] 10-12-96
   THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Saturday. Domestic news. 626
words. "Names in the News"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Xena the Warrior Princess isn't invincible after
all.
     Lucy Lawless, the star of television's "Xena:
Warrior Princess," was in stable condition Friday night
after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit for
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander was injured when a
horse she was sitting on in the NBC studio parking lot
lost its footing and fell, said Jim Benson, spokesman
for the show's distributor, MCA Inc.
   "She fell to the side," Benson said. "She's
recovering well. She's hoping to go home any day."
   The injury was expected to have little impact on the
show's production, Benson said.
   Lawless stormed into the world of syndicated
action-adventure television in March 1995 as a guest
character on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." In
fall 1995, Xena had earned her own series, and this
season it has been among the top 10 shows.


[564k] 10-12-96
   AP WORLDSTREAM. Saturday. 20:01 Eastern Time.
International news. 1280 words. "Xena the Warrior
Princess isn't invincible after all."
   COMMENTARY: This appears to be the first AP report
on the accident. As you can tell by reading it and the
many other reports, writers tend to borrow heavily from
each other. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   Lucy Lawless, the star of television's ''Xena:
Warrior Princess,'' was in stable condition Friday
night after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit
for ''The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.''
   The 28-year-old New Zealander was injured when a
horse she was sitting on in the NBC studio parking lot
lost its footing and fell, said Jim Benson, spokesman
for the show's distributor, MCA Inc.
   ''She fell to the side,'' Benson said. ''She's
recovering well.  She's hoping to go home any day.''
   The injury was expected to have little impact on the
show's production, Benson said.
   Lawless stormed into the world of syndicated
action-adventure television in March 1995 as a guest
character on ''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.'' In
fall 1995, Xena had earned her own series, and this
season it has been among the top 10 shows.


[564l] 10-12-96
    AP ONLINE. Saturday. 02:38 Eastern Time. 227 words.
"Lawless Injured In Horse Fall"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k.

[564m] 10-13-96
    THE WASHINGTON TIMES. Sunday. Page A2. 149 words.
"Woe of the warrior"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k.


[564n] 10-13-96
   THE TIMES-PICAYUNE. Sunday. Page A43. 1043 words.
"Xena Falls Short of TV Image; Actress Fractures Pelvis
on Shoot"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k.


[564o] 10-13-96
   THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. Sunday. Page 3. 212 words.
"Lawless injured in fall"
   COMMENTARY: Basic accident information.
   EXCERPT:
   Lucy Lawless, star of TV's "Xena: Warrior Princess,"
is in stable condition at a Los Angeles hospital after
suffering pelvic fractures last week while taping a
segment for Jay Leno's "Tonight" show.
   Lawless was on a horse in a parking lot when it lost
its footing and fell.   She'll be out of action for
about six weeks, but it shouldn't hurt the show, which
already has 10 episodes in the can....


[564p] 10-11-96
   THE DOMINION (Wellington). Page 1. 236 words. "Kiwi
pluck will save Xena"
   COMMENTARY: XWP's first major press mention in a New
Zealand paper! On page one, no less! Sadly, though, it
is news of Ms. Lawless' injury. [KT]
   The story also provides a couple of interesting
insights. First, the story gives us a look at Frank
Ryan, Lawless' father. To date, it is the only print
interview available to Xenites with him. Second, it's
treatment on the Internet once again proves how quickly
this new means of communication zaps information around
the world. The morning this story appeared in New
Zealand, an online Xenite, Gary Thomas, scanned it into
his computer and sent it to the XenaVerse mailing list.
That meant that I could sit in my house in Kansas, USA,
and read an article only minutes after it appeared on
Thomas' doorstep on the other side of the Earth. OK, so
maybe Internet oldsters didn't find this mind boggling,
but this newbie was blown away by that fact.
   The article also includes an interesting error. The
last paragraph reports yet again that the horse fell on
Lawless. There is an implication that Ryan told this to
the reporter. However, Lawless later said on a TV talk
show that the horse did not land on her. Did the
reporter get this inaccurate information from a source
other than Ryan? If Ryan told this to the reporter was
he confused or was Lawless confused about that fact at
the time and did she give her father inaccurate
information? My bet is that the reporter added this
fact on his own. Perhaps he felt that he was safe in
reporting this because it had already been reported by
AP. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   OLD-FASHIONED Kiwi pluck, not ancient superwoman
powers, would put television's Warrior Princess Lucy
"Xena" Lawless back on her feet after breaking her
pelvis yesterday, her father said last night.
   Lawless was recovering St Joseph's Medical Centre in
Los Angeles last night after falling from a horse while
filming a stunt for the NBC network's Tonight Show
hosted by Jay Leno.
   According to her father, Frank Ryan, who spoke to
her from Auckland yesterday, doctors thought she could
be in hospital for three weeks but were waiting for
specialists' reports before giving a more definite
prognosis.
   "Lucy is robust, fit and keen and has a fix the damn
thing and get on with it' attitude," he said.
   "That's a real Kiwi attitude and it's going to get
her a long way. She's a very bright, strong girl."
   Mr Ryan said his daughter told him she was in pain.
   "She's very big in America and I'm sure they're
going to do absolutely everything to make sure she's
all right."
   She stopped in Los Angeles to be on the Tonight Show
on her way back from Europe.
   She was to start filming a new series of Warrior
Princess in Auckland in three weeks. Pacific
Renaissance, the show's makers, could not be contacted
last night.
   Mr Ryan said his daughter was on a horse rehearsing
a stunt when the horse lost its footing. She fell and
the horse landed on her.


[564q] 10-12-96
   THE FRESNO BEE. Page A2. 782 words. "That Kennedy
curse"
   COMMENTARY: Basic accident information.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Xena takes a tumble
   Lucy Lawless, the actress who plays  "Xena: Woman
Warrior" in the TV series spawned from "Hercules," was
injured while taping a comedy bit for Jay Leno's
"Tonight Show " in Los Angeles.
   She fell from a horse that had lost its footing, USA
Today reports. The 6-foot New Zealander suffered pelvic
fractures and will be out of commission for four to six
weeks. Her show won't suffer, though. There are enough
episodes in the can to take it to the end of the year.
   Said Leno: "I thank her for being a good sport and
I'm sorry it happened." What would Xena do?...


[564r] 10-13-96
   CHATTANOOGA FREE PRESS. Sunday. Page A2. 790 words.
"NEWSMAKERS" By Dee Decker
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k.


[564s] 10-14-96
   STAR TRIBUNE. Page 5B. 893 words. "People" By Tonia
E. Moore
   COMMENTARY: Six days after the accident occurred,
newspapers are still reporting the basic information
about it. Kind of makes you wonder how "new" news is,
doesn't it? [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...'Xena' star injured
    Lucy Lawless, the star of the television series
"Xena: Warrior Princess," was in stable condition after
fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit for "The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno" last week.
    Lawless was injured when a horse she was sitting on
in the NBC parking lot in Burbank, Calif., lost its
footing and fell; she fell to the side. Jim Benson,
spokesman for "Xena" distributor MCA Inc., said she's
recovering
well. and hoping to go home soon.  He added that
Lawless' injury
was expected to have little impact on the show's
production.


[564t] 10-13-96
   THE SUNDAY STAR-TIMES. Page 13. 524 words. "Seven
Days"
   COMMENTARY: Basic accident information with a twist,
this story claims that Lawless was "crushed" by the
horse. If that had happened, Lawless would probably not
have filmed any of the second season. I suppose we can
file this report under "Media Sensationalism." [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...INJURED: New Zealander Lucy Lawless, star of TV
pulp Xena: Warrior Princess, with a cracked pelvis
after being crushed by a horse during a guest
appearance on Jay Leno's talkshow...


[564u] 10-13-96
   THE ATLANTA JOURNAL AND CONSTITUTION. Page 02C. 338
words. "Eastwood gets off to an 'OK' start"
   COMMENTARY: Basic accident information.
   EXCERPT:
   ...WARRIORS GET HURT TOO: Life got a little too
rough and tumble last week for "Xena, Warrior Princess"
star Lucy Lawless, 28, who fractured her pelvis while
taping a comedy skit on horseback for "The Tonight
Show." Her horse lost its footing, sending Lawless
tumbling to the ground of the NBC studio parking lot in
Burbank, Calif. The injury isn't expected to affect
"Xena's" production...


[564v] 10-13-96
   THE NEWS AND OBSERVER (RALEIGH, NC). NEWS. Page
A2. 618 words. "Short Stuff".
     COMMENTARY: same as XMR564o.


[564w] 10-13-96
   THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. NEWS. Page 6. 762
words. 'People Watch".  COMMENTARY: same as XMR564o.


[564x] 10-14-96
   ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Monday. Page 2A. 514 words.
"PEOPLE"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564k

[564y] 10-14-96
   THE DES MOINES REGISTER. Monday. Page 2. 254 words.
"Short takes"
   COMMENTARY: Basic accident information.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, who plays the lead role in TV's
Xena, was injured while taping a comedy bit for Jay
Leno's Tonight Show in L.A. She fell from a horse that
had lost its footing. The 6-foot New Zealander suffered
pelvic fractures and will be out of commission for four
to six weeks. Her show won't suffer, though - there are
enough episodes in the can to take it to the end of the
year...


[564z] 10-14-96
   THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Monday. AM cycle. Domestic
News. 637 words. "People in the News"
   COMMENTARY: An updated version of XMR564k, also
issued by the AP.  Added the news of Ms. Lawless'
anticipated release from the hospital on Tuesday,
October 15, 1996. She was actually released on
Wednesday, October 16. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is getting
out of the hospital, but she won't be back in the
saddle soon.
   Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital on Tuesday.
   "She's doing great, she's just going to need rest
and recuperation time," said Jim Benson, spokesman for
show distributor MCA Inc.
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in the NBC parking lot when her horse lost its
footing and fell. The horse was fine, but not Lawless.
   Lawless stormed into the world of syndicated
action-adventure television in March 1995 as a guest
character on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." Her
own show, which began a year ago, has been has been
among the top 10 this season....


[564aa] 10-14-96
   AP WORLDSTREAM. Monday. International news. 1307
words.    
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564w.


[564ab] 10-15-96
   TELEGRAPH HERALD (DUBUQUE, IA). Features. Page b5.
284 words. "PEOPLE". AP.
   COMMENTARY: The "Xena-Isn't-Invincible" approach
once again appears.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   Warrior Princess injured
   Xena the Warrior Princess isn't invincible after
all. Lucy Lawless, the star of television's "Xena:
Warrior Princess," was in stable condition Friday night
after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit for
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
   The 28-year-old New Zealander was injured when a
horse she was sitting on in the NBC studio parking lot
lost its footing and fell, said Jim Benson, spokesman
for the show's distributor, MCA Inc.
    The injury was expected to have little impact on
the show's production, Benson said. 
   Lawless stormed into the world of syndicated
action-adventure television in March 1995 as a guest
character on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys."
GRAPHIC: David Lee Roth (left) reunites with former
bandmates Michael Anthony (center) and Eddie Van Halen
at the MTV Video Music Awards. (AP photo)


[564ac] 10-15-96
   USA TODAY. Tuesday. Page 1D. 558 words. "Tight
box-office race" By Arlene Vigoda
   COMMENTARY: This brief notice reports that Lawless
was expected to get out of the hospital soon.
   EXCERPT:
   ...FIXING XENA: Lucy Lawless, star of Xena: Warrior
Princess, is expected to leave an L.A. hospital today
She fractured her pelvis last week while taping a skit
on horseback for The Tonight Show With Jay Leno....


[564ad] 10-15-96
   THE TORONTO STAR. Tuesday. Page E5. 588 words.
'Movies' Dirk Bogarde recovering from stroke"
   COMMENTARY: Extremely pared down version of XMR---x.
   EXCERPT:
   ...XENA TO LEAVE HOSPITAL: The star of Xena: Warrior
Princess is getting out of a Los Angeles hospital, but
she won't be back in the saddle soon.
   Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for The Tonight Show With
Jay Leno.


[564ae] 10-15-96
   THE TENNESSEAN. Tuesday. Page 3A. 938 words.
"Lorrie, Jon to Be by Each Other's Sides" By Brad
Schmitt
   COMMENTARY: Same old information.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, star of TV's Xena: Warrior
Princess, is in the hospital, recovering from a
fractured pelvis suffered during a horseback riding
accident. She was taping a skit for The Tonight Show
with Jay Leno when the horse lost its footing and fell
on Lawless. She is expected to be released from the
hospital today....


[564af] 10-15-96
   STAR TRIBUNE. Page 4B. 822 words. "People"
   COMMENTARY: Using similar turns of phrases as
XMR564z and XMR564aa, this notice may also have been
mildly influenced by XMR564x.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Hoping to be gone
   Lucy Lawless, star of the syndicated action series
"Xena: Warrior Princess," is expected to leave the
hospital today, but won't be back in the saddle soon.
She fractured her pelvis last week when she fell from a
horse while taping a skit for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno" outside NBC's Burbank, Calif., studios.=7F
   "She's doing great; she's just going to need rest
and recuperation time," said a spokesman for her show.


[564ag] 10-15-96
   THE SEATTLE TIMES. Tuesday. Page F7. 417 words.
"Seen, Heard, Said" By Janine Dallas Steffan
   COMMENTARY: Same old, same old.
   EXCERPT:
   The medical report...Lucy Lawless of "Xena: Woman
Warrior" should be getting out of the hospital today
where she was treated for those pelvic fractures she
got last week when her horse slipped while she was
filming a skit for the "Tonight Show." Though she'll be
recuperating for up to six weeks, her show won't be
affected since they've got 10 episodes in the can...


[564ah] 10-15-96
   THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page E-2. 741
words. "Public Eye" By Jeanne Beach Eigner
   COMMENTARY: One of the more sarcastic reports on
Lawless' injuries. This also falls under the category
of extremely old news, appearing a week after the
accident and a day before Lawless left the
hospital.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless regularly throws her shapely, 6-foot
self into the role of "Xena: Warrior Princess" for the
gratification of millions of adoring fans, but she was
injured while taping a comedy bit for Jay Leno's
"Tonight Show" in L.A.
   She was on a horse that fell when it lost its
footing, and she (Lucy, not the horse) fractured her
pelvis.  Though she'll be out of commission for four to
six weeks, there are enough episodes of her show in the
can to take it to the end of the year.
   Said Leno: "I thank her for being a good sport and
I'm sorry it happened."
    Niki Taylor was doing the model thing at the Paris
shows last week when she fell off a catwalk.  Blame it
on "narrow shoes that didn't fit."
   "...She basically did a header," said her spokesman,
a man with a true gift for language.  He hurried to
reassure her public, "She hurt her leg, bruised some
tissue, but she'll be back."


[564ai] 10-15-96
   SACRAMENTO BEE. Page A2. 106 words. "Short Stuff" By
Ed Fishbein.
   COMMENTARY: Report of Lawless' expected release from
the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, the star of the syndi-syndicated
series "Xena: Warrior Princess," who fractured her
pelvis last week while taping a skit on horseback for
"The Tonight Show," is expected to leave the hospital
today.

[564aj] 10-15-96
   ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS. Tuesday. Page 38A. 254 words.
"ETC"
   COMMENTARY: Again, a report of Lawless' expected
release from the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of Xena: Warrior Princess is getting out
of the hospital, but she won't be back in the saddle
soon. Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno....


[564ak] 10-15-96
   PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Tuesday. Pg. D3. 227 words.
"The Buzz" By Ed Masley
   COMMENTARY: Perhaps we should classify this as the
ultimate in confusion of actress with character. This
writer declares that Lawless herself is invincible. I
suspect that Lawless would disagree with that
statement.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...WARRIOR FELLED
   ''The Tonight Show'' got a little too rough and
tumble last week for Xena, Warrior Princess.
   The invincible Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis
while taping a comedy skit on horseback. The horse lost
its footing, sending Lawless tumbling to the ground of
the NBC studio parking lot. Lawless was in stable
condition in an L.A. hospital, and the injury isn't
expected to have an effect on production of
''Xena.''

[564al] 10-15-96
   THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Tuesday. Page A2. 794 words.
"Alphabet Beauties Give Book its Wings" By Leslie
Doolittle
   COMMENTARY: Similar to XMR564ac.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, star of the syndicated TV show
Xena: Warrior Princess, fractured her pelvis last week
when her horse lost its footing and fell during taping
of a skit on horseback for The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno. Lawless is expected to leave the hospital
today....


[564am] 10-15-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Tuesday. Page A02. 982
words. "People"
   COMMENTARY: The newspaper that first announced the
impending Leno skit provides some new information about
the accident. It notes that "there were two trainers on
site and the horse had rubber coverings on its shoes."
I've been told that special rubber shoes are required
when a horse rides on pavement. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   'Xena' is on the mend, Michael Landon's daughter
keeps her promise, Alabama declines Nat King Cole
   Lucy Lawless, star of television's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," remained in stable condition Monday after
fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit last week for
"The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. "
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave a
Los Angeles-area hospital today, said Jim Benson,
spokesman for show distributor MCA Inc.
   "She's doing great, she's just going to need rest
and recuperation time," Benson said.
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in NBC's Burbank studio parking lot Tuesday
when her horse lost its footing.
   Benson said it was still not clear why the horse
slipped.  There were two trainers on site and the horse
had rubber coverings on its shoes.
   The skit was supposed to be taped before "The
Tonight Show," and Lawless never appeared as a guest
that night...


[564an] 10-15-96
   NEWS TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page A10. 476 words. "Stephen
King Not Satisfied with Just Saying 'Boo!'" By Jerry
Holloron
   COMMENTARY: Same old stuff about Lawless' release
from the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is getting
out of the hospital, but she won't be back in the
saddle soon.
   Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital today.
   "She's doing great; she's just going to need rest
and recuperation time," said Jim Benson, spokesman for
show
distributor MCA Inc...


[564ao] 10-15-96
   LOS ANGELES TIMES. Tuesday. Page E2. 459 words.
"Laugh Lines.  Punch Lines"
   COMMENTARY: The accident is mentioned as a punchline
to a comedian's joke, Lawless is not even referred to
by name. This was actually a sign of the show's growing
popularity. To find XWP in a professional comedian's
joke assumes that the audience is familiar with it.
Stand up comedy tends to cater to the lowest possible
denominator. Also, that the LA Times ran it in it's
best lines heard by comics reflected the growing
popularity of the show.[KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ...The actress who plays Xena the Warrior Princess
fractured her pelvis while rehearsing a stunt for "The
Tonight Show." Says Steve Voldseth, "Obviously a freak
accident. Where else on TV could an actress break her
pelvis rehearsing . . . I mean, besides 'Melrose
Place.'"


[564ap] 10-15-96
   LOS ANGELES TIMES. Tuesday. Page F2. 932 words.
"Arts and Entertainment Reports from the Times,
National and International News Services and the
Nation's Press" By Art Berman
   COMMENTARY: Same basic information about Lawless
expected release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Sick Call: The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess"
is expected to leave the hospital today after
fracturing her pelvis last week while taping a skit on
horseback for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno." Lucy
Lawless, the 28-year-old New Zealander who stars in
the=7F
popular syndicated show, was in the NBC parking lot
when her horse lost its footing and fell. The horse was
fine, but not Lawless. "She's doing great; she's just
going to need rest and recuperation time," said Jim
Benson, spokesman for show
distributor MCA Inc...


[564aq] 10-15-96
   THE HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Tuesday. Page 2. 516 words.
"Newsmakers"
   COMMENTARY: The familiar wording marks this as a
probable AP story that is being picked up and reprinted
in various newspapers around the United States. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   Xena: X-ray princess
   The star of ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' is getting
out of the hospital, but she won't be back in the
saddle soon.  Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last
week while taping a skit on horseback for ''The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno.
'' The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital on Tuesday.
  "She's doing great, she's just going to need rest and
recuperation time,'' said Jim Benson, spokesman for
show distributor MCA Inc. Lawless stormed into the
world of syndicated action-adventure television in
March 1995 as a guest character on ''Hercules: The
Legendary Journeys.
'' Her own show, which began a year ago, has been among
the top 10 this season.


[564ar] 10-15-96
   THE FLORIDA TIMES-UNION (Jacksonville, FL). Tuesday.
Page A2. 483 words "Newsmakers"
   COMMENTARY: Announcement of Lawless' expected
release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, the star of Xena: Warrior Princess
who fractured her pelvis after a fall from a horse, is
expected to leave the hospital today...


[564as] 10-15-96
   THE DETROIT NEWS. Tuesday. Page A2. 447 words.
"Stephen King's real horror? Censorship"
   COMMENTARY: Same old release announcement.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, TV's Xena: Warrior Princess, will
leave a Los Angeles hospital today to recuperate from a
fractured pelvis. She fell off a horse while taping a
skit for The Tonight Show with Jay Leno....


[564at] 10-15-96
   THE DAYTON DAILY NEWS. Tuesday. Page 2A. 395 words.
"People"
    COMMENTARY: Dayton reports her release as if it
were fact. In reality, Lawless was released a day
later. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of Xena: Warrior Princess is getting out
of the hospital today in Los Angeles, but she won't be
back in the saddle soon.
   New Zealander Lucy Lawless, 28, fractured her pelvis
last week while taping a skit on horseback for The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno. ''She's doing great, she's
just going to need rest and recuperation time,'' said
Jim Benson, spokesman for show distributor MCA Inc....


[564au] 10-15-96
   THE COURIER-JOURNAL. Tuesday. Page 03D. 880 words.
"the Insider" By John C. Long
   COMMENTARY: Same old released-from-hospital story.
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of the syndicated TV action-adventure
show ''Xena: Warrior Princess'' is expected to get out
of a Los Angeles hospital today, but she won't be back
in the saddle soon. Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis
last week while taping a skit on horseback for ''The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno.'' Lawless was taping in the
NBC parking lot when her horse lost its footing and
fell. The horse was fine...


[564av] 10-15-96
   CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page 2. 82 words. "Xena
Recuperating from a Horse Spill"
   COMMENTARY: AP strikes again.
   REPRINT:
   The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is getting out
of the hospital, but she won't be back in the saddle
soon. Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week
taping a skit on horseback for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital Tuesday. In the U.S. vacationing and doing
publicity for her syndicated show, Lawless was taping
the skit in the NBC parking lot when her horse lost its
footing and fell. The horse was fine.


[564aw] 10-15-96
   CHATTANOOGA FREE PRESS. Tuesday. Page A2. 711 words.
"Newsmakers" By Howard Cross
   COMMENTARY: Yet another probable AP story on
Lawless' expected release from the hospital
   EXCERPT:
   ...The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess" is getting
out of the hospital, but she won't be back in the
saddle soon.
     Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last
week while taping a skit on horseback for "The Tonight
Show with Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital today.
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in the NBC parking lot when her horse lost its
footing and fell. The horse was fine, but not
Lawless...


[564ax] 10-15-96
   The Charleston Gazette. Tuesday. Page P8B. 398
words. "What's Up"
   COMMENTARY: Same old story about Lawless' hospital
release.
   EXCERPT:
   LOS ANGELES - The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess"
is getting out of  the hospital, but she won't be back
in the saddle soon. Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis
last week while taping a skit on horseback for "The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno."
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital on Tuesday.
   "She's doing great, she's just going to need rest
and recuperation time," said Jim Benson, spokesman for
show distributor MCA Inc.
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in the NBC parking lot when her horse lost its
footing and fell. The horse was fine, but not Lawless.
   Lawless stormed into the world of syndicated
action-adventure television in March 1995 as a guest
character on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys."


[564ay] 10-15-96
   THE BALTIMORE SUN. Tuesday. Page 2E. 582 words. "The
same old Roth irritates Van Halen after MTV Awards."
  COMMENTARY: Short and sweet. Another story about
Lawless' expected release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Stars are recovering, resting or semi-retiring.
   TV land is full of off-screen drama at the
moment:...
   ...The star of "Xena: Warrior Princess," 28-year-old
Lucy Lawless, who fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno," is likely to get out of the hospital today
but needs recuperation time before she gets back in the
saddle, a spokesman says.


[564az] 10-15-96
     THE CHATTANOOGA TIMES. Entertainment. Page A2. 320
words. "People".
    COMMENTARY: This appears to be a longer version of
the AP story about Lawless' expected release from the
hospital.
     EXCERPT:
   'Warrior Princess' recovering
   LOS ANGELES -- The star of Xena: Warrior Princess is
getting out of the hospital, but she won't be back in
the saddle soon.
   Lucy Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit on horseback for The Tonight Show With
Jay Leno.
   The 28-year-old New Zealander is expected to leave
the hospital Tuesday.  "She's doing great, she's just
going to need rest and recuperation time," said Jim
Benson, spokesman for show distributor MCA Inc.
   Miss Lawless, in the United States vacationing and
doing publicity for her popular syndicated show, was
taping the skit in the NBC parking lot when her horse
lost its footing and fell. The horse was fine, but not
Lawless.  Miss Lawless stormed into the world of
syndicated action-adventure television in March 1995 as
a guest character on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Her own show, which began a year ago, has been among
the top 10 this season.


[564ba] 10-15-96
     THE NEWS AND OBSERVER (RALEIGH, NC). NEWS. Page
A2. 568 words. "Short Stuff".
     COMMENTARY: Same old story about Lawless' expected
release.
     EXCERPT:
. ... Lucy Lawless, star of "Xena:
Warrior Princess," is expected to get out of the
hospital today, but she won't be back in the saddle
soon. Lawless fractured her pelvis last week while
taping a skit for Jay Leno's show. "She's just going to
need rest and recuperation time," said a spokesman.
Lawless' show, which began a year ago, has been in the
top 10 this season.


[564bb] 10-16-96
    The Record. October 16, 1996; WEDNESDAY; ALL
EDITIONS. SECTION: YOUR TIME; Pg. Y10. LENGTH: 547
words. HEADLINE:
TELEVISION NEWS & NOTES.
   COMMENTARY: Does this sound familiar? Yet another
story on Lawless' expected release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...FALLEN WARRIOR
   Life got a little too rough and tumble last week for
"Xena, Warrior Princess" star Lucy Lawless, 28, who
fractured her pelvis while taping a comedy skit on
horseback for "The Tonight Show." Her horse lost its
footing, sending Lawless tumbling to the pavement of
the NBC Studios parking lot in Burbank, Calif.     The
formerly invincible TV action heroine was in stable
condition at a Los Angeles hospital, but the injury
isn't expected to affect the production of "Xena."...


[564bc] 10-17-96
   THE COLUMBIAN. Thursday. Page A4. 249 words. "Torme
Making Progress * Lucy Lawless * Salman Rushdie"
   COMMENTARY: At last! The first AP story appears
reporting that Lawless was indeed released from the
hospital on Wendesday, October 16, 1996, eight days
after the accident.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...The Warrior Princess is on the mend.
   Lucy Lawless, star of television's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," was released from a hospital Wednesday, a
week after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit
for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno."A spokesman for
MCA Television, the show's distributor, said the New
Zealand actress, 28, is unlikely to resume work for
four to six weeks.
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in NBC's Burbank studio parking lot Oct. 8
when her horse lost its footing and fell....


[564bd] 10-17-96
   THE ASSOCIATED PRESS. Thursday. 747 words. "Names in
the News"
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR [564bc]


[564be] 10-17-96
   AP ONLINE. Thursday. 187 words. "Jay Leno Takes Out
Xena."
   COMMENTARY: Same as XMR564bc


[564bf] 10-18-96
   THE TIMES-PICAYUNE. Pg. A21. 937 words. "Jagger's
Infidelities May Add Up" Compiled by J.E. Bourgoyne
   COMMENTARY: An expanded version of the AP story.
Nothing new here, except that the headline is
interesting as yet another example of the confusion
over actress and character.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   'Xena' only human
   Lucy Lawless, star of television's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," was released from a Burbank, Calif.,
hospital Wednesday, a week after fracturing her pelvis
while taping a skit for "The Tonight Show with Jay
Leno."
   "She's fine," said Jim Benson, spokesman for MCA
Television, the show's distributor. "She just needs
some rest and recuperation."
   The 28-year-old New Zealand actress is unlikely to
resume work for four to six weeks, Benson said. The
injury was expected to have little impact on the
production of "Xena."
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in NBC's Burbank studio parking lot on Oct. 8
when her horse lost its footing and fell.


[564bg] 10-18-96
   THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. Friday. Baylife. Pg. 2. 389
words. "Warrior Princess recuperates". Compiled by
Robert Bowden
   COMMENTARY: Report of Lawless' release from the
hospital. No new information.
   EXCERPT:
   The Warrior Princess is on the mend.
   Lucy Lawless, star of television's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," was released from a hospital Wednesday, a
week after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit
for "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno."
   "She's fine," said Jim Benson, spokesman for MCA
Television, the show's distributor. "She just needs
some rest and recuperation."
   The 28-year-old New Zealand actor is unlikely to
resume work for four to six weeks, Benson said. The
injury was expected to have little impact on the
production of "Xena."
   Lawless, in the United States vacationing and doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in NBC's studio parking lot in Burbank,
Calif., on Oct. 8 when her horse lost its footing and
fell.  Source: The Associated Press


[564bh] 10-18-96
   THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Friday. Pg. E-2. 662
words. "Sick-bay report." By Jeanne Beach Eigner
   COMMENTARY: Same old information about Lawless'
release from the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Sick-bay report
   Lucy Lawless, star of TV's "Xena: Warrior Princess,"
is out of the hospital a week after fracturing her
pelvis while taping a skit for "The Tonight Show with
Jay Leno." The bemuscled action star, 28, is "fine,"=7F
said Jim Benson, spokesman for MCA
Television, the show's distributor.  "She just needs
some rest and recuperation."...


[564bi] 10-18-96
   THE ORLANDO SENTINEL. Friday. Pg. A2. 826 words.
"Break out the Suds! Soap Winners Are In". By Leslie
Doolittle
   COMMENTARY: Same report about Lawless' release
   EXCERPT:
   ...Sick bay report:...
   Lucy Lawless, star of syndicated TV's Xena: Warrior
Princess, was released from a hospital on Wednesday, a
week after fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit
for The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno. The 28-year-old actress
from New Zealand, who won't resume work for four to six
weeks, fell after the horse she was on lost its
footing.


[564bj] 10-18-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Friday. Page A02. 768
words. "People"
   COMMENTARY: Another version of the AP story on
Lawless' release from the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   Lucy Lawless, star of TV's "Xena: Warrior Princess,"
was released from a Burbank hospital a week after
fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit for "The
Tonight Show With Jay Leno. "    Lawless, 28, was
discharged from St. Joseph's Medical Center on
Wednesday.
   "She's fine," said Jim Benson, spokesman for MCA
Televison, the show's distributor.  "She just needs
some rest and recuperation. "
   The New Zealand actress is unlikely to resume work
for four to six weeks, Benson said.  He refused to say
where Lawless planned to recuperate.


[564bk] 10-18-96
   Newsday. October 18, 1996, Friday. Nassau and
Suffolk Edition. Page A14. 1042 words. "Flash! The
Latest Entertainment News And More" By  Patrick
Pacheco. Patrick Pacheco is a free-lance writer; By
Anthony Scaduto.
   COMMENTARY: Same old, same old on Lawless' release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...LUCY LAWLESS Xena' Released From Hospital
   The Warrior Princess is on the mend. Lucy Lawless,
star of television's "Xena: Warrior Princess," was
released from a hospital Wednesday, about a week after
fracturing her pelvis while taping a skit for "The
Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The 28-year-old actress,
who is from New Zealand, is unlikely to resume work for
four to six weeks. Lawless, in the United States doing
publicity for her popular syndicated show, was taping
the skit in NBC's Burbank studio parking lot on Oct. 8
when her horse lost its footing and fell...


[564bl] 10-18-96
   NEWS TRIBUNE. Friday. Pg. A14. 470 words. "People:
Cher Objects to Magazine's Version of Her Body".
Compiled from news services by Yoko Kuramoto
   COMMENTARY: Yet another version of the AP story on
Lawless' release from the hospital.
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, 28, star of TV's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," was released from an LA hospital Wednesday,
a week after fracturing her pelvis when she fell from a
horse
doing a skit for Jay Leno's show. Her spokesman said
she's
expected back at work in four to six weeks....


[564bm] 10-18-96
   MILWAUKEE JOURNAL SENTINEL. Friday. Pg. 7. 611
words. "Celebrities"
   COMMENTARY: Yet another report on Lawless' release.
   EXCERPT:
   ...   Xena on the mend
   Lucy Lawless, 28, star of TV's "Xena: Warrior
Princess," has been released from an L.A. hospital
after fracturing her pelvis when she fell from a horse
doing a skit for Jay Leno's show.


[564bn] 10-18-96
   THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis). Friday. Pg. 3C. 106
words. "'Xena' mending after accident." By our press
services
   COMMENTARY: Same old story about Lawless' release.
   EXCERPT:
   The Warrior Princess is on the mend.
   Lucy Lawless, 28, star of television's Xena: Warrior
Princess, has been  released from the hospital, a week
after fracturing her pelvis while taping  a skit for
The Tonight Show.
   The  actress will be off work for four to six weeks.


[564bo] 10-19-96
   THE PLAIN DEALER. Saturday. Pg. 2A. 206 words.
   COMMENTARY: This appears to be the Cleveland
newspaper's first report on Lawless' accident, which
may be evidence that the wave of stories about her
release from the hospital may have actually increased
the penetration of the publicity about the accident.
[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Tumble from a horse leaves Warrior wounded
   The Warrior Princess is on the mend. Lucy Lawless,
star of television's "Xena: Warrior Princess," was
released from a hospital Wednesday, a week after
fracturing her pelvis when she fell off a horse while
taping a skit for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" in
Burbank. The 28-year-old New Zealand actress is
unlikely to resume work for four to six weeks, said Jim
Benson, her publicist.
   GRAPHIC: ...Lucy Lawless


[564bp] 10-25-96
   ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Page 18. 367 words. "News &
Notes/ Monitor" By Tom Sinclair and Alanna Nash
   COMMENTARY: This is the first report on the accident
to appear in the United States' leading entertainment
magazine. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Lucy Lawless, 28, star of Xena: Warrior Princess,
after fracturing her pelvis while rehearsing a stunt
for a comedy segment on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno,
Oct. 8, in L.A. Lawless fell on the NBC Studios parking
lot when the horse she was riding for the skit
stumbled. According to Lawless' spokesman, the
Amazonian actress will be out of action for four to six
weeks. In a statement, Leno apologized to Lawless and
thanked her for being a good sport.


[564bq] 10-25-96
   ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY. Page 14. 309 words. "Jim
Mullen's Hot Sheet. What the Country Is Talking about
this Week..." By Jim Mullen
   COMMENTARY: In a humorous list of trendy items
happening in the entertainment biz, XWP was mentioned
in regard to Ms. Lawless' injury. While in questionable
taste, the mention does attest to XWP's rising
popularity. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   ...10 XENA The Warrior Princess hurt herself falling
off a horse in L.A. Fortunately, Dr. Quinn belongs to
her HMO....


[564br] 10-27-96
     THE SUNDAY STAR-TIMES (Auckland). Page 3. 261
words. "Get well messages swamp Warrior Princess: By
Helen Bain
   COMMENTARY: New Zealand once again provides a new
slant and new information. Lawless' hometown newspaper
focuses on all the support she received from the
Internet, including a get-well message from Kevin
Sorbo. 
   The last few paragraphs of the article may be the
most interesting to fans. In reporting statements from
an unnamed MCA spokesman, the article provides evidence
that the accident was both harder and easier on Lawless
than fans may have thought. The spokesman report that
"Lawless was now able to walk again but it is slow and
painful," and added that she "was coping extremely
well emotionally." 
   The story also reported that Lawless hoped to be
back at work in four weeks, which turned out to be
true, and would be "performing fairly rigorous stunts,"
which did not occur in the few episodes that were
filmed after her return.[DS]
   REPRINT:
   XENA Warrior Princess star Lucy Lawless has been
swamped by thousands of Internet messages wishing a her
a speedy recovery after breaking her pelvis.
   The New Zealand television star fell from a horse
two weeks ago after filming a stunt for the NBC
network's Tonight Show but is recovering well and has
been discharged from a Los Angeles hospital.
   An MCA TV series spokesman said her spirits had been
boosted by thousands of fans from around the world who
sent e-mail messages, including the star of the
Hercules TV series, Kevin Sorbo. Xena Warrior Princess
is a spin-off from the Hercules series in which Lawless
also appeared with Sorbo.
   "Lucy, what can I say? You're the greatest. Get well
soon," Sorbo's message says.
   "Get well soon! Hope the insurance companies don't
make you wear a seatbelt from now on," another
well-wisher's message says.
    "Best wishes for a speedy recovery, remember you're
supposed to kick their butts, not the other way round,"
says another.
    One well-wisher says she adopted a feral kitten and
named it Xena "in your honour because she's a feisty
good-looking girl".
    The MCA spokesman said Lawless was now able to walk
again but it is slow and painful.
   "We are anticipating her recovery will be quick."
   He said Lawless hoped to be back at work filming
Xena Warrior Princess in four weeks, including
performing fairly rigorous stunts.
   The spokesman said Lawless was coping extremely well
emotionally following the accident.


[564bs] 10-28-96
   PEOPLE. Page 97. 480 words. "Passages"
   COMMENTARY: Look! Cutting edge news from PEOPLE
Magazine. [KT] Or to put it another way: Exactly 20
days after the accident, 12 days after Lawless was
released from the hospital, and weeks after the rest of
the media reported it, People finally "broke" the
story. [DS]
    EXCERPT:
   ...Actress Lucy Lawless, 28, the New Zealander who
stars in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess,
was in stable condition after fracturing her pelvis on
Oct. 8 while taping a skit for NBC's Tonight Show.
Working in the parking lot of the show's Burbank
studio, Lawless tumbled to the pavement when the horse
she was sitting on lost its footing and fell....


[564bt] 11-10-96
   THE PROVIDENCE JOURNAL-BULLETIN. Sunday. Page 6T/
532 words. "Question & Answers"
   COMMENTARY: After over a month after Ms. Lawless'
injury, it is still being reported.[KT]
   EXCERPT:
   I've heard reports of Lucy Lawless being injured in
some kind of accident. What's the story?
   D.D.
   The star of the syndicated hit Xena: Warrior
Princess was thrown from a horse last month while
waiting to enter the Tonight Show sound stage for a
comedy stunt. She is working with a physical therapist
and her trainer so that she can return to work on her
action series which is filmed in New Zealand....


[564bu] 11-10-96
   THE BUFFALO NEWS. Sunday. Page 3TV. 688 words.
"'Pretender' Began Acting as a Child; Michael T. Weiss
Got Big Break with Soap Role" By Norma Cavazos
   COMMENTARY: same as xmr564bo


[564bv] 10-18-96
   THE NEWS AND OBSERVER (Raleigh, NC). Page A2. 649
words. "Short Stuff"
   COMMENTARY: More on the release. 
   EXCERPT:
   ... Lucy Lawless, star of television's "Xena:
Warrior Princess," was released from a hospital
Wednesday, a week after fracturing her pelvis while
taping a skit for "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno." The
28-year-old actress from New Zealand is unlikely to
resume work for four to six weeks, said Jim Benson,
spokesman for MCA Television, the show's distributor.
The injury was expected to have little impact on the
production of "Xena."

   
[564bw] 10-19-96
   THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. NEWS. Page 12. 730
words. "People Watch". From Staff and Wire Reports.
   COMMENTARY: More on the release. 
   EXCERPT:
   SICK BAY REPORT
   Lucy Lawless, 28, star of TV's Xena: Warrior
Princess, was released from an LA hospital, a week
after fracturing her pelvis when she fell from a horse
doing a skit for Jay Leno's show.  She's expected back
at work in four to six weeks.


[565] 10-10-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Thursday. Page 10. 6367 words.
   COMMENTARY: The intensely fascinating production
charts for 10/96.
   EXCERPT:
   ...MCA TELEVISION
   (818) 777-1242
   HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS (synd) (in assn
w/Renaissance Pictures) EXP, Robert Tapert, Sam Raimi;
CO-EXP, John Schulian; SUPR PROD, Robert Bielak; PROD,
Eric Gruendemann; CO-PROD, David Eick; CASTING, Beth
Hymson-Ayer.
   XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS (synd) (in assn w/Renassiance
Pictures) EXP, Robert Tapert, Sam Raimi; CO-EXP, R.J.
Stewart; SUPR PROD, Steven Sears; PROD, Eric
Gruendemann; CO-PROD, Liz Friedman; CASTING, Beth
Hymson-Ayer....


[566] 10-11-96 to 10-14-96
   NOTE: Ratings for IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE
(#24), 2nd release, 09/16/96. Ranked as the third
action hour with a 4.3 rating. (ST:DS9 took 1st place;
Variety did not give the score for ST:DS9 nor did it
mention who held the number two spot; XWP, HTLJ and
Baywatch tied for 3rd with 4.3. Other action hours: FX:
The Series earned 3.5; Two earned 2.9; Bounty Hunters
earned 1.2; The Cape 2.3; Tarzan 1.7; and Beach Patrol
1.0)  [SINS 1st release (09/04/95) ratings: XWP 3rd
place at 4.5; 2nd release (11/27/95) ratings: XWP 1st
place at 5.9]


[566a] 10-11-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Friday. Page 8. 776 words. "Sophs
Stage Surge 'Home' Leads Off-net Pack Ratings Growth"
By Jenny Hontz
   COMMENTARY: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (#24),
2nd release, 09/16/96.
   EXCERPT:
   While most new firstrun syndie shows have been
lagging in the ratings, the second-year off-net sitcoms
continued to surge the third week of the new season
ending Sept. 29....
   ...In weekly action, three new series had their
first appearances on the chart. MTM's "The Cape" rated
a 2.3, somewhat disappointing considering its
clearances on 207 stations covering 94% of the country.
Keller Siegel's "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures" debuted
to a 1.7 on 132 stations covering 91% of the country.
ITC's "Beach Patrol" debuted to a 1 on 114 stations
covering 74% of the country. The two-hour premiere of
All American's "The Adventures of Sinbad" was
reprocessed.
   Two new action hours grew in their second week on
the air. Rysher's "FX The Series" shot up 40% to a 3.5,
while New World's "Two" jumped 21% to a 2.9. Two new
weeklies went down in week two. "America's Dumbest
Criminals" fell 11% to a 1.6, while Tradewinds' "Bounty
Hunters" fell 14% to a 1.2.
   Among the weekly veterans, Par's "Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine" found its way back to the top of the pack,
despite a weekly drop of 12% and a year-to-year loss of
17%. Three shows tied for third at 4.3: MCA TV's
"Hercules" and "Xena" and All American's
"Baywatch."


[566b] 10-14-96
   VARIETY. Pg. 43. 776 words. "'Home' leads off-net
syndie charge" by JENNY HONTZ
   COMMENTARY: IS THERE A DOCTOR IN THE HOUSE (#24),
2nd release, 09/16/96. Same as XMR566b.


[566c] 10-14-96
   VARIETY. Page 43. 184 words. "Nielsen Syndication
Ratings"    COMMENTARY:
   REPRINT:
   For week ended September 29, 1996
                             Stations/
Rank      Program    % coverage   AA%     GAA%
1 Wheel of Fortune     230/99   10.8     --
2 Home Improvement     232/97    9.1   10.4
3 Jeopardy!            225/99    8.9     --
4 Oprah Winfrey Show   236/99    7.8    7.9
5 Seinfeld             222/95    6.9     --
6 Entertainment Tonight183/94    6.0    6.1
7 WCW Wrestling        154/91    5.8    9.0
8 Simpsons             209/96    5.6    6.1
9 Home Improvement-Wk. 218/96    5.3     --
10 Inside Edition      153/91    5.1    5.2
11 Wheel of Fortune-Wk.170/70    5.0     --
12 Star Trek: Deep SN  230/97    4.5    4.7
13 Baywatch            213/95    4.3    4.4
13 Journeys of Hercules201/93    4.3    4.4
13 Xena                184/93    4.3    4.4
16 Hard Copy           175/91    4.2    4.2
16 Montel Williams     183/93    4.2    4.3
18 RosieO'Donnell Show 222/99    4.1    4.1
19 Live w/Regis& KLee  239/99    3.9     --
19 Sally Jessy Raphael 162/92    3.9     --
   AA average refers to nonduplicated viewing for
multiple airings of the same show. GAA average
encompasses duplicated viewing. GAA average does not
apply when there is only one run of a show.


[567] 10-11-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Friday. Page 30. 85 words. "Action
pair plunder better slots" By JENNY HONTZ
   COMMENTARY: Variety announced that XWP was being
given plumb spots in Houston (KHTV, 6pm Saturday), St.
Louis (KTVI, 8pm Tuesdays), New Orleans (WNOL, 7pm
Tuesday; 6pm Saturday). [KT]
   REPRINT:
   MCA TV action hours "Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess" have been
upgraded in several large and midsize markets.
   "Xena" is moving from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays on
KHTV Houston; in St. Louis the show will air at 8 p.m.
Tuesdays rather than midnight Mondays on KTVI. On WNOL
New Orleans, "Xena" moves from 6 p.m. Saturdays and 10
a.m. Sundays to 7 p.m. Tuesdays and 6 p.m. Saturdays.
   "Hercules" is switching to 7 p.m. Thursdays on KPLR
St. Louis from 10:30 p.m. on KTVI.


[568] 10-11-96
   CALGARY HERALD. Friday. Page C4. 563 words. "The
Long Kiss Goodnight: Super-violent action thriller is
simply ridiculous" by ALISON MAYES
   COMMENTARY: In a review of the movie "The Long Kiss
Goodnight" the reviewer described the main character's
growth as that of a "switch from Betty Crocker to Xena
the Warrior Princess." [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   The Long Kiss Goodnight is one of those cynically
crafted movies that aims straight at the brain and
groin of the stereotypical 18-year-old male.
   Directed by Geena Davis's husband Renny Harlin
(Cliffhanger, Die Harder), it's a ridiculous,
super-violent action thriller with a smart-alecky sense
of humor and a parade of expensive stunts, such as
actors being blown through windows by indoor
explosions...
   ...There are moments of good fun here. You can't
help liking the saucy Jackson, whose scuzzy but
good-hearted character has the amusing habit of talking
to himself in the form of blues songs. He gets a lot of
humorous mileage out of reacting to Davis's switch from
Betty Crocker to Xena the Warrior Princess....


[569] 10-14-96 
   NOTE: It's MIPCOM season again!

[569a] 10-14-96
   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. 536 words. "Syndie market
action-packed MIPCOM news" By Robert Marich
   COMMENTARY: Marich reported from Cannes that MCA was
going to concentrate more on getting better domestic
viewing times for HTLJ and XWP than trying to create
more action-hours for competition in domestic and
international markets. [KT]
   I thought about editing this and only presenting an
excerpt, but it provides some interesting insight into
the syndicated market. This article is a must read for
Xena fans with an interest in the business side of the
TV. [DS]
   REPRINT:
   A dozen big-budget action-adventure TV series
projects lining up foreign sales at the MIPCOM TV
program market face a severe bottleneck when they seek
first-run syndication slots in United States, TV
executives say.
  ''This syndication season some distributors are going
to lose a lot of money,'' predicted Ned Nalle,
executive vp at Universal Television. ''The shelf space
(on U.S. TV stations) is going to be difficult to come
by.''
   Primetime and primetime access slots are scarce
because of the rollout of the Fox, UPN and WB networks.
Among the English-language first-run series being
licensed at MIPCOM were Warner Bros.' ''The New
Adventures of Robin Hood''; Team Entertainment Group's
''Total Recall: The Series''; Keller Entertainment's
''Conan the Adventurer''; Alice/Seagull Entertainment's
''Merlin: The Quest Begins''; and Rysher
Entertainment's ''Soldier of Fortune.''
   ''I think only two or three will make it,'' said
Drew Levin, president of Team Entertainment, the Los
Angeles-based distributor adapting theatrical hit
''Total Recall'' for TV. He said international buyers
are getting ''overwhelmed'' as the boon in syndication
is augmented by the U.S. TV networks picking up drama
series again after tilting heavily toward sitcoms in
recent years.  While international outlets are keen for
U.S. action-adventure, ''people mistakenly believe
there's unlimited foreign demand,'' said Jim McNamara,
president of worldwide TV distribution at MCA TV.
   MCA TV is home to reigning first-run champs
''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' and ''Xena:
Warrior Princess.'' Yet it decided not to launch a new
syndicated action-adventure series in the heavy
traffic, preferring instead to concentrate on upgrading
time periods of ''Hercules'' and ''Xena'' in the United
States, studio brass said.
   First-run syndication action-adventure series are
typically budgeted from $600,000 to $1.1 million, a
wide range unlike U.S. network series, which hover
around $1.3 million per hour.  ''A lot of series in the
hour-drama syndication area are underproduced,'' said
Todd Leavitt, TV division chairman at Toronto-based
Alliance Communications, which plans to roll out heist
caper ''Once a Thief'' in syndication if Fox doesn't
pick up its option on the John Woo creation.
   ''But what's happening is that the audience
expectation levels are set by feature films such as
'Independence Day.' '' Paul Siegel, president of
Seagull Entertainment, which is pushing ''Merlin'' and
action-drama ''Double Extreme,'' takes a different tack
than his competitors.Siegel said his series are
produced with European partners as European content,
exempting them from quota restrictions in the 15-nation
European Community and allowing for more lucrative
European sales. ''Merlin'' is scheduled for filming in
Ireland and ''Double Extreme'' is set for France.  As a
result, Siegel said his shows can survive in U.S.
syndication, airing in moderately viewed 3-7 p.m. time
periods, not primetime slots required by rival shows.
''We're looking to get over a 3 rating,'' he said,
''but if we can't, we'll still make money under that
level.''


[569b] 10-14-96
   VARIETY. Page 1. 1263 words. "H'wood divies digital
realm" By ELIZABETH GUIDER and MICHAEL WILLIAMS
   COMMENTARY: More reportage from the MIPCOM TV Trade
Show in Cannes, Oct. 7-11, 1996. Regarding MCA's
strategy with HTLJ and XWP, the article said: "'Those
two syndicated action hours, Hercules and Xena, are
doing great numbers right now. I wouldn't be surprised
to see MCA and RTL decide to back a third or fourth
such hour, say, something with a Euro feel like
Siegfried or Lancelot,' one source quips, only half
jokingly."
   It appears that MCA is getting respect for the both
shows success and is receiving the envy of its peers.
Also looks like MCA is willing to milk it for all its
worth as well. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   You couldn't see it or touch it and practically no
one in Europe is actually watching it, but digital
television's future was the underlying leitmotif of the
11th annual Mipcom TV trade show in Cannes Oct. 7-11.
     ...It's not just studios that are making hay in
the digital sunshine. Programming-rich indies are also
looking to capitalize on digital. "These are great new
openings for product providers," comments Worldvision
Enterprises exec VP and chief operating officer Bert
Cohen. "The key is managing your library with greater
efficiency than before," he adds.
   Industryites predict that attention will shift to
Spain and Italy by next April's MIP meet, since German
digital alliances are basically wrapped up and France
is expected to follow suit rapidly. Some of the main
international sales chiefs are predicting, however,
that Spanish deals may be the slowest to put together
because the studios are finding that certain Spanish
networks are late payers.
   "If you are already having to push hard for payments
of your last film, it makes you wonder about when you
will see the cash for the kind of digital deals that
are on the table. I don't think we'll be rushing in
Spain," a veteran sales exec says.
    "You guys (media journalists) will still be writing
about digital battles come next Mipcom," says MCA
Worldwide Distribution president Jim McNamara.
   McNamara says his studio will be launching by summer
its first branded Universal action series channel on
the Kirch platform in Germany.
   He and his boss, MCA TV Group president Greg Meidel,
did argue that there are other things going on in the
business besides the dickering over digital pay TV.
   The emphasis at MCA right now is coordinating newly
revved-up domestic production with newly found
international distribution opportunities.
   To that end, MCA honchos took over a Seagram-owned
castle in France on the eve of Mipcom, to wine and dine
a select group of German clients from commercial
station RTL. The idea is to activate a recent agreement
that calls for RTL to fork over several hundred
thousand dollars in backing for upcoming action series
being developed by MCA in exchange of course for
various rights to MCA product in Germany.
   "Those two syndicated action hours, 'Hercules' and
'Xena,' are doing great numbers right now. I wouldn't
be surprised to see MCA and RTL decide to back a third
or fourth such hour, say, something with a Euro feel
like 'Siegfried' or 'Lancelot,' " one source quips,
only half jokingly.
   In fact the most visible sign of a programming craze
at Mipcom was the sudden demand for "medieval chic."
Costumed heroes as diverse as Robin Hood, Conan the
Adventurer, Sinbad, Tarzan and William Tell roamed the
corridors of the Palais hyping their eponymous
series...


[569c] 10-14-96
   ELECTRONIC MEDIA. Page 37. 760 words. "Mipcom Notes"
By Greg Spring
   COMMENTARY: More dirt on MIPCOM at Cannes.  The big
news was MTM's showing of it's new action hour
"Eighteen Wheels of Justice", which follows the
exploits of a long-haul trucker pursuing justice on the
roads along the United States/Mexico border. Just when
you thought everything was going to be mythological and
fantasy driven next season!
   Other news was that MGM has developed an action hour
based upon the movie "Stargate". That will first air on
Showtime and then be released to syndication (same as
their strategy for "Outer Limits" and "Poltergeist".
   Warner Brothers/Universal Television hawked the
international distribution rights to their action hour
"Cloak and Dagger".
   "Cloak and Dagger" [eventually called SPY GAME] also
picked up a 13 episode order from ABC. This show was
executive produced by Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert,
those same wild and crazy executive producers of XWP.
MCA, of course, retained all domestic distribution
rights to the show.
   Nickelodeon announced a 90-minute live-action
adventure movie to be shot in Australia
called "Doom Runners" which will be shown on Showtime.
   MCA's "Burning Zone" and "EZ Streets" was sold to
more than 22 countries and 17 countries, respectively.
   It looks like the powers that be might be steering
away from fantasy action hours and looking more into
science fiction and reality based hours for the 1997-98
season. [KT]
   Xena was only mentioned in reference to "Cloak and
Dagger", which lasted only a short time on ABC TV when
it was finally shown.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...Warner Bros. International Television
Distribution handled international distribution duties
for ''Cloak & Dagger,'' the previously announced action
hour produced jointly by Warner Bros. Television and
Universal Television.
   The series has picked up a 13-episode midseason
order from ABC and will be executive-produced by
Universal Television's Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert, the
duo
behind MCA's syndicated ''Hercules'' and ''Xena.'' MCA
retains all domestic distribution rights....


[570] 10-14-96
   KTLA . Morning News.
   Contributed by: (schnepp@pepperdine.edu)    
   COMMENTARY: We do not have a transcript of this, but
do have a report from Rita Schnepp, which only shows
that Xena IS everywhere.[DS]
   REPORT:  This morning ---10/14--the KTLA News
team  mentioned both Lucy and Xena's name on their
news.  Most of you  know this is a very informal news
group which likes to clown around a lot.  It was very
brief and quick, but they were playing around with
bracelets and what kind of reminded you of gauntlets,
and they said "They give you Lucy Lawless powers, yeah,
they give you Xena powers"(sort of like the Wonder
Woman bracelets)


[571] 10-14-96
   THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis). Monday. Page 1C.
543 words. "C.A. EYE" Edited by Jon W. Sparks
   COMMENTARY: In a tongue-and-cheek social statement,
Mr. Sparks takes a quote from John Loring, design
director of Tiffany & Co., from New York magazine and
titles it, "from Warrior Princess Xena to Margaret
Thatcher. [KT]
   Interesting to note that the writer considers Xena
to be one end of the spectrum of female experience.
This certainly signals a chance in cultural
expectations from only a few decades ago when a
character like Xena was unimaginable on TV.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   ...FROM WARRIOR PRINCESS XENA TO MARGARET THATCHER
   ''Women have gone out in the world and had a
tremendous influence on  every part of our culture.
Their tastes, which were once developed in the
hothouse atmosphere of the home, have become more
refined. They have all  these experiences and all this,
what I call 'reality intake.' The result is  table
settings of tremendous self-assured style and grace.''
   - John Loring, design director of Tiffany & Co., in
New York magazine....


[572] 10-14-96
   GIANT KILLER. Episode no. 27 (203). First release.
   GUEST STARS. Todd Rippon (Goliath); Anthony Starr
(David); CAST. Calvin Tuteao (Dagon); (Jonathan); (King
Saul); (Sarah); CREDITS. Story by Terence Winter.
Directed by Gary Jones
   TV GUIDE DESCRIPTION. Xena is caught behind a rock
and a hard place when she's pitted against her old
friend Goliath (Todd Rippon) in a battle between the
Israelites and the Philistines.
   AIRING AND RATING INFORMATION. 1st RELEASE:
10/14/96. An AA average of 5.4. Competition from
Syndicated Action Dramas: (1) HERCULES ranked 8th with
5.8; (2) STAR TREK: DS9 ranked 9TH with 5.7; (3) XENA
ranked 10th with 5.4; (3) BAYWATCH ranked 14th with
4.4.
   SYNOPSIS:
   The synopsis is brought to you by guest synopser,
Bluesong@aol.com.
   Xena and Gabrielle are walking around a graveyard; a
giant's graveyard.  Gabrielle asks why they aren't
buried.  Xena says that it's a sign of honor of death
on the battlefield.  Xena fought with the giants
against someone named Gareth, and 10 years ago she made
a pact with a friend to meet him back at this place.
Then Gabrielle says, Xena, there are more giants here
than dead ones.  Xena says, Hello Goliath.  "This is
your friend?" Gabrielle says.  Xena nods.  Gabrielle
says she's going to take a walk.
   Gabrielle talks to the trees:  you'd think she'd
have told me her friend was a giant, why doesn't she
tell me these things?  And then she's confronted by an
army, who has some people captive.  They go to take
Gabrielle, and one of the slaves (David) tries to
protect her but is knocked down.  Gabrielle says pick
on somebody who can defend themselves -- "Who you?" the
man laughs, "No, me!" Xena says, and a fight ensues. 
Gabrielle is getting good at this fighting stuff, btw. 
Anyway, once the Philistines find out that it is Xena
they are fighting against, they stop, for they have
hired Goliath to help them defeat the Israelites, and
Xena is Goliath's friend. They invite Xena and
Gabrielle to their camp.  The Israelites are put in a
dungeon.  The Israelites aren't fond of Xena.
   Xena and Gabrielle go dine with the commander;
Gabrielle steals food to take to the prisoners.  Xena
goes to talk to Goliath, to tell him he's working for
the wrong side. But Goliath only wants revenge against
Gareth, because Goliath's family was killed in the
fighting, and the money the Philistines are paying him
will help him find Gareth.
   Gabrielle goes to the prisoners, gives them food,
but they are trying to dig their way out and they are
found out.  The guard orders them killed.  Gabrielle
tries to talk him out of it.  He says he'll only kill
one, and pulls out David.  David is put on a stump and
Gabrielle throws herself over him to keep his head from
being chopped off, and the guard says OK, I'll chop
your head off too.  The chakram comes flying, knocking
the axe from the head-chopper and setting free some
captives, and Xena, astride Argo, takes on the
Philistines.  Another fight; the Israelites and Xena
flee to the Israelite home/palace, back to King Saul.   
The Philistines are on the march, however, and with
Goliath the Israelites have no hope.  Xena proposes a
winner-take-all, with her fighting her friend Goliath,
because she knows that giants have a soft spot between
the eyes that will kill them instantly, and she only
needs one shot.
   Gabrielle goes to David, and they have a tender
moment and almost kiss, but then David's fiancee
interrupts; Gabrielle departs going "dumb, dumb, dumb,"
and smacking herself in the head.  She finds Xena
alone, standing, watching the storm outside in the
darkness.  "Is the thunder keeping you up?"  Gabrielle
slips an arm around Xena. No.  Xena explains how
Goliath saved her life and in so doing, lost his
family.  She is very sad about the entire turn of
events; Gabrielle takes Xena's right hand in her left
hand, and then covers her hand with her right; Xena
returns the hand hold, tenuously at first, but then
with a tight grip.    The next morning the Philistines
and Israelites meet; the challenge has been accepted. 
Goliath goes after Xena, and the Philistines attack the
Israelites in a sneak play. Jonathan, the elder son of
King Saul, is killed, and the Israelites retreat. 
Goliath has on a special helmet, and can't be killed,
so Xena finally throws salt in his eyes and runs with
the Israelites to a cave. 
   Xena tells Gabrielle that with Jonathan dead, the
Israelites need a leader, and if she kills Goliath they
will not have anyone to proclaim a hero.  David has
been thinking the same thing; he tells Xena he has to
be the one to kill the giant.  Xena goes to the
graveyard again and finds Goliath; she could have
killed him then, but doesn't. They talk and part as
friends, planning to meet as enemies.  Gabrielle sees
David, tells him she was a little upset by the fiancee'
meeting, and David says they can be friends; they talk
a bit about monotheism because Gabrielle says it is a
new thing for her; a god greater than Zeus? a little
talk, then he recites a psalm (Psalm 23, the Lord is my
shepherd) and Gabrielle likes it.
   Next morning, the Israelites have gold shields.  The
weather is cloudy.  David is praying; Xena tells him to
ask "him" to do something about the weather.  The
Philistines show up; Goliath comes forward in his
helmet, and David walks out to face him.  The
Philistines laugh and call for Xena, at least, not a
small guy.  Goliath  tries to slice up David; then the
sun breaks forth, and Xena yells "now" and the soldiers
shine their gold shields so that the sun is reflected
into Goliath's eyes and off of his helmet.  In anger,
Goliath throws his helmet off and when he does, David
throws a rock and hits him between the eyes.  Goliath
goes down; Xena looks pained.  Xena walks over to the
dying Goliath, and tells him his battle is over. 
Later, Xena walks through the giant graveyard, her
thoughts heard out loud:  "Goliath, I know you can hear
me, I hope you're with your family.  I'll always
remember you as a loving
husband, a great warrior, and my friend."
    COMMENTARY:  [IF ANY ONE WANTS TO DO THE COMMENTARY
FEEL FREE TO DO IT!]
   HIGHLIGHTS: [DITTO FOR HIGHLIGHTS!]
   DISCLAIMER: 
   No Bible myths or icons were irreparably mangled
during the production of this motion picture.


[573] 10-15-96
   XENAVERSE MAILING LIST. (xenaverse@umail.umd.edu)
   COMMENTARY: In yet another post to the Xenaverse
mailing list, Supervising Producer Steve Sears updated
fans on Lawless' condition and on the status of the
show. This was posted one day before she was released
from the hospital.[DS]
   REPRINT:
   From: Tyldus@aol.com
   Again, for anyone who has sent me any e-mail, I'm
not being rude, I just haven't been reading it.   At
best, I shoot through the tons o'Xenaverse stuff and,
occasionally, hit one at random.
   As an update:  Things move at the same pace with
Lucy. She's doing fine, watching the TV and the nurses
rotate her flowers.  She has more magazines than she
knew existed and wants to get out.  First thing's first
though; she has to heal.  We keep her appraised of the
Xenites devotion and it cheers her quite a bit.
  The series moves on.  As you have guessed, we're VERY
BUSY.  We're trying to make as much lemonade out of
this situation as possible.  The show will not be
delayed, but you are sure to notice some "creative
choices" in the episodes.  Fortunately, we have some
latitude to work with and with a series such as ours,
there are very few limits to what we can do.  Other
shows can only DREAM of the stuff we can get away with.
  Example:  Overheard at a recent story meeting "How
many times can we kill him and bring him back?" Kinda'
reminds me of a couple of lines from the movie APOLLO
XIII (paraphrasing) "This could be the biggest disaster
NASA has ever had."
  "With all due respect, sir, I think this will be our
finest hour." Okay, we're not bringing astronauts back
in a crippled craft, but I like to be optimistic.
And I'd like some sleep!  So, there's your update.
Back to work. Tyldus


[574] 10-15-96
   THE SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE. Tuesday. Page E-3. 1213
words. "Xena Allure Makes Her Legend in His Own Mind"
By Welton Jones (welton.jones@uniontrib.com)
   COMMENTARY: This item was Welton Jones first
substantial XWP article. Previously Jones had
mentioned XWP in an aside using it as an example of a
quality show (he mentioned it along with NYPD Blue)
(San Diego Union-Tribune, 10-01-96, page E-1, "The
Current Cosby Creation Leaves Him Cold").
   This time up to bat, Jones devoted 1,213 words to
XWP. After comparing the birth of Xena to the birth of
Venus, he made the observation that Xena, as a
character, was "the most likely new candidate since Mr.
Spock and Darth Vader" to become a new folk hero.
   This article, perhaps, is the best example so far of
a trend I having been noting in news coverage of XWP.
At last, professional TV watchers are coming out of the
closet to defend and extol XWP. They are not afraid to
admit their bias towards the show and use an almost
proselytizing demeanor in their writing. For example,
Jones then justified his interest in XWP by listing
what he believed to be what made XWP so compelling. He
listed them in order of importance:
   (1) Heroism. Jones alluded to the battle between
Xena's quest for morality and redemption and the curse
and pull of her past.
   (2) Atmosphere. Citing New Zealand landscapes as
compelling, he also stated "The large and vivid crowds,
the complex special effects, the rich textures of the
decor, the vast outdoor panoramas and even the broad
overacting of the supporting players all contribute to
an accumulated sense of importance."
   (3) Attitude. In a reference to the producers
purposefulness in ignoring inconsistencies, Jones
noted "A gee-whiz sense of wonder balances precisely
with the casual hangout humor to solve deftly the
problem of access between eras." He also brought up the
"shared conspiracy" which was created between the show
and the viewers regarding such "inconsistencies".
   (4) Casting. Jones was clearly impressed with
Lucy Lawless. He wrote, "Her presence is commanding and
her athleticism is formidable, but her real secret is
the intelligent sensitivity she brings to her acting.
While Xena certainly is what the Irish call 'a fine
broth of a girl,' careful study reveals the
sophistication of Lawless' technique."
   (5) Stories. Citing the rich repository of ancient
Greek mythology, Jones recognized that the creators
of XWP did not limit themselves to that. He cited
Goliath appearing in a show and Bacchus as a bad guy.
Jones observed, "By remaining vague about the show's
dates (roughly 1000 B.C.) and background (something
about a wronged girl who learns martial arts to seek
revenge), the producers provide themselves limitless
opportunities for borrowing legends to retool."
   After listing these aspects of the show, Jones
then compared XWP to HTLJ and HTLJ came up short. "They
both handle the action with a hero's aplomb but she
[Xena] gleams with the added glow of the unexpected, a
fictional hero both resourceful and efficient who also
happens to be a major babe." He then criticized the
first two episodes of HTLJ stating that "The villains
are mere cartoons, the plots are clumsy (a female
scribe does a tiresome enterprising reporter bit) and
Sorbo seems bemused to find himself, as the greatest
hero in history, helping jolly peasants with their
yardwork." Jones then stated, "No such drift with
Xena". To be fair, he did criticize XWP by stating,
"her season premiere does labor through enough
alternate universe gibberish to stir interest aboard
the starship Enterprise." [Apparently, Mr. Jones was
confused and actually referred to the second show of
the new season REMEMBER NOTHING, and not the first
show, ORPHAN OF WAR].  On the debate of which show was
better, Jones concluded with the observation,
"There's a temptation to see these two series as
interchangeable.  But Xena is pulling away in the
subtlety stakes, thanks to the little mysteries that
surround her past and her future."
   Jones obviously prided himself in his knowledge
of both shows and felt he knew them well enough to
compare them. This is not a review of a casual viewer
or of a reviewer who just watched a couple tapes in
order to make copy. Jones continued to reveal his
personal interest in the show by making a comparison
between the side kicks of Hercules and Xena: Iolaus and
Gabrielle, respectively.
   Jones concluded that Gabrielle was more
interesting than Iolaus because "Sorbo and Michael
Hurst (as Iolaus) do a lot of guy stuff to compensate.
But Xena and Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) are another
matter.  When they cuddle, the air is charged with
romance.  And, believe me, the Internet is buzzing."
  Cuddle?  [Sorry, couldn't help it].
  My favorite line in the article was "Unless you're
really obsessed with metaphors, both shows are,
finally, just well-crafted escapist nonsense."
   THERE'S THE RUB: "Unless you are really obsessed
with metaphors..." Well, about three quarters of Xena
fandom are OBSESSED with metaphors. The charm of the
show is that it's jam-packed with metaphors,
symbolism, references, nuances, double entendres, dumb
jokes, corny situations, etc. That is why Craig Miller
in his SPECTRUM, No. 5, May 1995, review of XWP episode
THE RECKONING (XMR262) was wrong when he wrote "Xena is
certainly not an allegory, and we doubt that it
employs, or even attempts, symbolism." [This statement
was discussed in more detail in "Xena as Allegory", my
editorial in XENA MEDIA REVIEW (XMR #12).]  Jones
has clearly grasped a fundamental understanding about
XWP and its meaning to many in fandom.
   In concluding the article, Jones returned to the
theme that he believed that XWP was here to stay. He
wrote, "Other than the obvious opportunity for women to
identify with a hero as assertive, confident, daring
and crafty as any man, the creators of Xena also offer
a vivid central character at home in a timeless
universe and just waiting for an entire history of her
own. It isn't often that we can watch the birth of a
new legend."
   This article is easily the non-intellectual
counterpart of the most seminal articles on XWP
published to date. The "seminal" articles being, THE
VILLAGE VOICE, (XMR115) 12-26-95, page 47, "Xenaphilia"
by Stacey D'Erasmo; MS MAGAZINE, (XMR322), Vol 7, No.
1, July/August 1996, page 74, "Xena. She's Big, Tall,
Strong- -and Popular" by Donna Minkowitz; and THE
WASHINGTON POST, (XMR pending) 09-21-96, page C01,
"Woman of Steel; Television's Warrior Xena Is a
Superheroine With Broad Appeal" by Elizabeth Kastor.
[KT]
   REPRINT:
   Venus, according to classic mythology, "sprang from
the froth of the sea" and so impressed the immortals
with her beauty that they made her goddess of love.
   Xena, according to studio press releases, was
"initially conceived as an evil figure" in one of
"Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" but so impressed the
viewing public that they made her a warrior princess
headed for television immortality.
   It takes time for a new folk hero to solidify in the
mass mind, but Xena is the most likely new candidate
since Mr. Spock and Darth Vader.  She's a hero
approaching Hercules' own Olympian proportions.
   "Xena: Warrior Princess," being a syndicated TV show
rather than a network program, shows up all over the TV
log, on Channel 69 in San Diego and Channel 5 in Los
Angeles.  Could be this floating schedule exposed her
to a wider audience than a fixed weekly spot.  Maybe
the lurid, comic strip title snagged a few more
viewers.  Whatever, Xena captured enough fans to
position herself on 212 U.S. stations in the new season
for a run at the syndicated champs, like "Bay Watch."
   I stumbled across Xena last season, while looking
for something mindless to accompany Saturday night
dinner.  Right away I got hooked and, all things being
equal, there are few current television shows I prefer
now more than this pungent stew of Classic Comics
mythology, kung fu flicks, computer tricks, science
fiction, fairy tales, arcade games, cheesecake,
slapstick, campy romp and buddy epic that all blends so
smoothly together.
   What's the big attraction?  Here's my guess, roughly
in order of importance:
   Heroism -- Though not perfect, Xena manages to
nurture fairness and virtue in a world where the
distinctions are slippery. She is a mortal made special
by her purity of purpose yet kept interesting by the
flaws she must control.
   Atmosphere -- The show, shot in New Zealand, simply
drips gorgeous, lush, unspoiled scenery, quite
acceptable as an ancient world where elaborate wonders
are commonplace.  The large and vivid crowds, the
complex special effects, the rich textures of the
decor, the vast outdoor panoramas and even the broad
overacting of the supporting players all contribute to
an accumulated sense of importance.
   Attitude -- A gee-whiz sense of wonder balances
precisely with casual hangout humor to solve deftly the
problem of access between eras.  The producers simply
ignore the inconsistencies.  Of course knowing exactly
how much modern slang will work -- "you guys" and
"she's starting to bug me' " are OK but "cool dudes"
would not be heard -- is part of the formula.  The rest
is a genial shrug that links classic resonance and
contemporary comfort into a shared conspiracy simply to
suspend disbelief and enjoy the story.
   Casting -- Maybe this should rate higher, because
Lucy Lawless is really terrific, a tall brunette with
the look of eagles in her icy blue eyes and the
voluptuous figure well-displayed in comic-book
tradition.  Her presence is commanding and her
athleticism is formidable, but her real secret is the
intelligent sensitivity she brings to her acting.
While Xena certainly is what the Irish call "a fine
broth of a girl," careful study reveals the
sophistication of Lawless' technique.
   Stories -- There is no richer, deeper supply of
tales than the mythology of ancient Greece.  But the
makers of "Xena" don't limit themselves to the foibles
of Olympus.  In a recent episode, the giant Goliath
wanders through from the Old Testament.  And some of
these standard Greek icons turn up in surprising
contexts, like Bacchus as a bad guy.  By remaining
vague about the show's dates (roughly 1000 B.C.) and
background (something about a wronged girl who learns
martial arts to seek revenge), the producers provide
themselves limitless opportunities for borrowing
legends to retool.
   Many of these elements are present in Xena's parent
show, "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." Kevin Sorbo,
a definite hunk with an easy, unforced charm, has grown
into the lead role despite being less beefy than one
might expect from the strongest man in the world.  He
gets the same great scenery, the same natural cool and
the same rigid codes of ethics as Xena, plus they're
both stuck with the same silly kung fu stuff.
   But Hercules is coated with centuries of
stereotyping.  Even audiences who can't name one of his
12 labors still know that he was gifted beyond most
mortals and that he retired more or less undefeated.
Not so Xena, who totes no more baggage that any other
attractive, assertive young woman surviving in a
traditionally masculine business.
   They both handle the action with a hero's aplomb but
she gleams with the added glow of the unexpected, a
fictional hero both resourceful and efficient who also
happens to be a major babe.
   After a good launch in 1994, Hercules' people seem
to be going dry.  The first two offerings of the new
season were a standard two-rivals-against-the-
real-baddies plot with some menace borrowed from Frank
Herbert's sci-fi classic, "Dune," and a muddled tale
about Daedalus, bummed at losing his son Icarus in the
world's first plane crash, turning out weapons of mass
destruction.
   The villains are mere cartoons, the plots are clumsy
(a female scribe does a tiresome enterprising reporter
bit) and Sorbo seems bemused to find himself, as the
greatest hero in history, helping jolly peasants with
their yardwork.
   No such drift with Xena, though her season premiere
does labor through enough alternate universe gibberish
to stir interest aboard the starship Enterprise.
   There's a temptation to see these two series as
interchangeable.  But Xena is pulling away in the
subtlety stakes, thanks to the little mysteries that
surround her past and her future.
   Take the sidekicks, for example.  Each hero has a
principal pal -- a shorter, plainer, funnier and less
perfect version of themselves -- but Xena's Gabrielle
is far more interesting than Hercules' Iolaus.
   There was an Iolaus in the Hercules myths, a sort of
assistant hero who was a big help during the Herculean
labors.  According to Plutarch, one of the best sources
for the times, Iolaus inspired shrines "where lovers
used to go and bind themselves by the most solemn oaths
of fidelity, considering the place as sacred to love
and friendship."
   Now that's a bit racy for a popular television
action series, so Sorbo and Michael Hurst (as Iolaus)
do a lot of guy stuff to compensate.  But Xena and
Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) are another matter.  When
they cuddle, the air is charged with romance.  And,
believe me, the Internet is buzzing.
   Unless you're really obsessed with metaphors, both
shows are, finally, just well-crafted escapist
nonsense.  But Hercules, who already has had his
centuries of fame, probably will fade away soon (along
with the inevitable imitations now turning up) while
Xena may turn out to have surprising legs, if you'll
pardon the expression.
   Other than the obvious opportunity for women to
identify with a hero as assertive, confident, daring
and crafty as any man, the creators of Xena also offer
a vivid central character at home in a timeless
universe and just waiting for an entire history of her
own.
   It isn't often that we can watch the birth of a new
legend.
   GRAPHIC: Campy goddess: Xena has fought her way into
many viewers' hearts.


[575] 10-15-96
   THE FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM. ARLINGTON. Page 2.
1155
   COMMENTARY: The Classical Studies program at the
University of Texas at Arlington takes advantage of the
popularity of XWP and HTLJ to promote a symposium. This
is one of many signs that Renaissance Pictures most
profitable TV shows are making a dent in academia.[DS]
   EXCERPT:
   Greek mythology, history are focus of UTA symposium
   Greek mythology and other subjects of classical
history will be addressed at a daylong symposium from 9
a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thursday at the University of Texas
at Arlington.
   Sessions will include "Winning and Losing at the
Olympics," "Xena, Athena and the Warrior Princesses of
Greek Mythology" and "Stones and Bones: Tales of
Classical Archaeology. "
   After a lunch in the university center, the
symposium will close with "The Lighter Side of
Classics: Lou Ferrigno's Hercules. " The symposium,
presented by the Classical Studies program, is free and
open to the public.
  Registration begins at 9 a.m. in Room 100 of
Nedderman Hall.  For more information, call 272-2764.


[576] 10-15-96
   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. 354 words. "Atlantis battles
for 'Earth'" By Eric Hansen
   COMMENTARY: Article on the Atlantic Communications
and Tribune Entertainment partnership for Gene
Roddenberry's "Battleground Earth". XWP was mentioned
as an action hour that was successful for Tribune
Entertainment Co. [KT]
   "Battleground Earth", which is now more well known
by the name, "Earth: The Final Conflict," debuted in
the fall of 1997. So far, the show has failed to come
close to attaining the ratings of either XWP or
HTLJ.[DS]
   However, it is one of the few syndicated hour
episodes to get kind of close to where XWP was during
its first year. EARTH has been renewed for a second
season and periodically makes it into the the top
twenty-five syndicated shows. [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   Canada's Atlantis Communications will be partnering
with Tribune Entertainment to the big new action sci-fi
hour ''Battleground Earth'' created by the late Gene
Roddenberry, sources say....
   ...Tribune has had recent success on its Tribune
one-hour series with the MCA-distributed shows
''Hercules: The Legendary Journeys'' and ''Xena:
Warrior Princess.''


[577] 10-15-96
   THE DENVER POST. Tuesday. Page E1. 563 words. "When
TV and computers merge, forget about sleep" By Joanne
Ostrow
   COMMENTARY: In a review of the computer game Myst,
the reviewer began with "I've escaped into 'the
surrealistic adventure that will become your world.'
And I don't mean 'Dark Skies,' 'The Pretender' or
'Xena: Warrior Princess."  [KT]
   EXCERPT:
   I've escaped into "the surrealistic adventure that
will become your world." And I don't mean "Dark Skies,"
"The Pretender" or "Xena: Warrior Princess."
   True confession: I'm hooked on "Myst," the popular
CD-ROM game that offers an intuitive quest through an
incredibly artful graphic environment in search of
I'm not sure what. Like life, it's a mystery to be
lived, not a riddle to be solved....


[578] 10-15-96
   TRANSCRIPT -- Interview with Xena Producer Liz
Friedman on "One in Ten", a lesbian and gay radio
program from Boston. Broadcast October 1996
   Transcribed by Diane Silver (dswriter@idir.net)
   COMMENTARY: Yup, this is my one and only transcript.
However, beside from that extremely minor bit of
trivia, this interview is also important in Xena lore
because it is the longest to date with Friedman and may
stand as the one where she gives the most complete
answers on her view of lesbian subtext.
   Friedman is in the unusual position of being the
only out lesbian on a show that was created and
produced by heterosexuals. Her position as producer
puts her in the middle to low end of the producing
hierarchy. Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi are at the top as
the executive producers.
   In the interview, Friedman says that both she and
others at Renaissance Pictures delight in purposely
adding subtext to XWP, but she stresses that Xena and
Gabrielle are not being written as lovers. She calls
herself a "representationaly starved queer" and talks
about the importance of seeing positive images of
same-sex love. Also in the interview, Friedman talks
about her education and how she got the job. Lawless'
accident is not mentioned, which leads me to believe
that this may have been taped before the accident
occurred.[DS]
   TRANSCRIPT -- (The show opens with audio of opening
sequence of XWP, including narration & music)
   Female host -- Oh, we love that! I'm Mary Bresslour
(spelling?) and this is One in Ten, along with Keith
Orr (spelling?). The chat rooms have been buzzing for
months now. The cult television hit, Xena: Warrior
Princess, has lots of fans estatic over fearless
heroine Xena and her red-headed companion, Gabrielle,
and the twist is that the producers also seem to be
consciously using the pair to cultivate a bit of a
lesbian following. And, no one is better to speak to us
about that and talk to us about Xena, then lesbian
co-producer Liz Friedman from Renaissance Productions.
Hi Liz.
   Liz -- Hi Mary, how are you?
   Mary -- I'm great, how are you?
   Liz -- Very good.
   Mary --  I love Xena.
   Liz -- Oh good, I'm glad.
   Mary -- It's just a very good, very hot, very
different show. And let's bring people up to date here
Liz. I mean Hercules begot Xena so why don't you?
   Liz -- Well, Xena started on Hercules. She was a bad
girl and she wanted to kill him, Through a few episodes
she got turned around and eventually they had their
little roll in the hay. That and some other things
turned her into a good girl and she ended up with her
own series.
   Mary -- So this is a theme of if you just find a
good man and you can have you're own series and you can
be good.
   Liz -- (laughing)
   Mary -- Starting a new trend here Liz.
   Liz -- (laughing) Oh, is that a new trend?
   Mary -- It's certainly not a new myth, that's for
sure.
   Liz -- Yes. And Xena, Xena's an interesting
character because she really came from a bad past, I
mean I sort of think of the Atilla the Hun of her time
in her early years. She got an army and started with
some decent goals to protect her home village, but
pretty soon she just got into the power and after she
realized that was not a good thing to be doing, she
now=7F
has a lot of blood to wash off her hands.
   Mary -- So, she's constantly making atonement with
that sword of hers?  And the horse and the cute little
companion who just sort of trots along beside her?
   Liz -- Yeah. That's right.
   Keith -- Let's get into the whole Gabrielle thing.
Let's talk about that a little bit. What's up with
their relationship? What do you take it on?
   Liz -- Well, I think that they have a, the
characters, I mean we -- Honestly, we didn't write the
characters to be explicitly lesbian. Going into it we
never really had any thoughts about that. I think what
we really wanted to do was  we wanted to make a very
strong and real relationship between the two of them in
that their friendship does not consist of the two of
them talking about their boyfriends and what kind of
sanitary protection they like, which tends to be what
you see on television when women talk.  They have a
real concern and respect for one another. I think that
it's interesting that when you portray that kind of a
female friendship it instantly starts getting read as
if, well, they must be lovers. I think it tells us a
lot about what television doesn't tend to show in terms
of  real relationships between two women, whether or
not there is a sexual component to them or not.
   Keith -- So in future episodes we don't see Xena
hanging up her sword and opening up a bed and breakfast
in ancient Greece?
   Liz -- No, absolutely, There's not really a bed and
breakfast series franchise that I know of. No, she'll
be sticking to her ways and Gabrielle will be right
there beside her.
   Mary -- It's kind of like a great female Butch
Cassady and the Sundance Kid. Liz -- Yeah. They're just
a terrific pairing. My take on it is what Xena and
Gabrielle do in between episodes, I don't actually
know.
   Mary -- Hey, don't ask, don't tell. Right?
   Liz -- (laughing) Yes.
   Mary -- But that must be some of the fun off it,
too, which is their relationship can really be anything
to any viewer in many ways. And you have some fun with
this. Let's be honest.
   Liz -- Absolutely, oh absolutely! That's one of the
best parts of the job, getting to throw in references
that I know the fans who are interested in that will
pick up on, but don't necessarily flash any irrevocable
red lights. We opened up a show with the two of them
fishing naked and we're about to have a Halloween
episode that will certainly have some nice moments for
our queer fans, a little lesbian vampire show.
   Keith -- How do the actors feel about the sort of
gay twist to their characters?
   Liz -- I think they really like it. They get a real
kick out of it. Lucy thinks it's great and I think
Renee does also.
   Mary -- Now, where did you find this Lucy Lawless?
She's fabulous. I mean she's towering, she's 6 feet,
she's got those fabulous blue eyes, which I gather are
not contacts.
   Liz -- No, they are not. Lucy is 100 percent the
real thing. She is an actress, a New Zealand actress.
Originally, we only intended for her part to be 3
episodes on Hercules. We had cast another actress. It
was about a week before that other actress was
scheduled to go to New Zealand. She called us and said,
'I have the flu.' I can't travel. We called and offered
the part to about 3 or 4 other actresses and we had
just used Lucy in a Hercules and we said, OK, change
her hair color and make her Xena. It was the luckiest
accident that ever happened.
   Mary -- She's great.
   Liz -- She is Xena.
   Mary -- Completely. Now, what about some of the
stunts. The acrobatics are incredible. How does that
happen? Do we have stunt people and the whole thing?
   Liz -- Absolutely. I mean Lucy does do some of her
own stuff and certainly, whenever you have a lead actor
who is really good with movement like both Lucy and
Kevin, who plays Hercules, are, it makes it so much
easier. We also have a great, great stunt coordinator,
a guy named Peter Bell (spelling?) who does both
Hercules and Xena, and there's a lot of stunts and a
lot of fights. Our production apparatus in New Zealand
just does a great job with all that stuff.
   Keith -- Our phone number here in the studio is
595-1017. Please join us if you're a fan or newly
introduced to Xena.  Rob Tapert and Sam Raimi have a
pretty long history in this kind of genre of
production. Why don't you bring our listeners up to
date on some of the projects they've also been involved
in?
   Liz -- They did a cult horror movie called "The
Evil Dead."
   Keith -- Which is one of my absolute favorite movies
of all time.
   Liz -- Yes
   Keith -- And it went for three full episodes as
well.
   Liz -- They made Evil Dead and then Evil Dead 2, An
Army of Darkness. Evil Dead 2 is kind of my favorite.
Those are really just terrific horror films with a real
twist, particularly Evil Dead 2, of really sick, black
comedy. From there, Sam went and made Darkman. They
also started producing features. They did Hard Target,
sort of introduced John Woo to America and we've done a
couple of Darkman straight-to-video sequels and Sam has
directed, since then he did The Quick and the Dead with
Sharon Stone and now he's gearing up on some other
feature projects. And then we started doing Hercules
and that rolled into Xena.
   Mary -- Now you actually started this whole movie
thing on doing your thesis in college on gender roles
in slasher movies.
   Liz -- Yes.
   Mary -- Go figure. There at Wesley in peaceful
little Connecticut you could call your folks at home
(and say) It's OK I got this thesis worked out; it's
this great thing around women and slashers
   Liz -- (laughing) Yes. It was a little odd. It took
me about a year to find somebody who was even willing
to be my advisor on the thesis.
   Mary -- I bet.
   Liz -- You know the film people didn't necessarily
want to do the theory so I really had to find someone.
And they kept saying, 'I don't know anything about
horror films.' I'd say, 'You don't need to know
anything; I know about that.' I had never been able to
watch horror films. They had always scared me too much,
then I read this article that said there's actually an
interesting feminist message in them. I got totally
fascinated by that and then spent about two and a half
years watching things like Cheerleader Camp in
preparation for my thesis.
   Mary -- Your parents must have been thrilled.
   Liz -- (laughing) You go, well, 'The good news is
that I won a prize; the bad news is it's for this big
paper on horror films.'
   Mary -- Right.
   Liz -- I think they're glad I'm just walking the
streets and not in prison.
   Mary -- Absolutely, as they should be. And that led
you out to Hollywood? Liz -- I decided well, I really
like movies, so I'll guess I'll go do this and I really
didn't know anybody out here and I had no connections
and spent about 6 months sort of floating around
unemployed. I had sent my thesis to a bunch of people,
including Sam Raimi because I just absolutely loved
Evil Dead 2. At first they didn't have a job. They
said, 'Oh, we like you, but we can't hire you.'  I'd
taken another job at an agency and they called me and
said, 'Sam Raimi needs an assistant tomorrow.' I said,
'OK, gotta go. The man calls.' So that's how I ended up
there.
   Keith -- Were Hercules and Xena both created for
American TV first or were they international
productions?
   Liz -- They were created for American TV.
   Keith -- But they have ben now franchised
internationally.
   Liz -- Yes. I've seen the French dubs for Hercules
and it's a very bizarre thing. They've been franchised
internationally and they're doing very well.
   Keith -- And the show is shot in New Zealand?
   Liz -- Yes.
   Mary -- That's extra hard duty for you, Liz. It's
only one of the most beautiful places in the world.
   Liz -- Yes, it's really tough. It is absolutely
beautiful and the crews there are great. And we have an
unbelievable set up down there, doing both of these
shows. (Actually) It is a little tough. I was just
doing a movie down there in the New Zealand winter,
which means it rains all the time.
   Mary -- Prozac helps, though.
   Liz -- (laughing) But, it's great. It is tough doing
something on the other side of the planet. It's a day
ahead of us there. It does make some logistical things
difficult, but it's worth it for the scenery.
   Keith -- One of the things I noticed too is that
there is I think a fair amount of computer animation
and 3d animation used in each show. Is that done here
in the United States or is it all post production in
New Zealand?
   Liz -- No, all the post is done here in the
states. We have a great group of guys called Flat Earth
that do our effects here. They do a great job for us.
   Mary -- Is what ended up happening with Xena really
is that these guys got kind of caught up in other
projects and Hercules and they kind of said (to Liz),
Hey, take Xena.
   Liz -- Yes.=7F
   Mary -- Didn't they just say, Don't "f" it up.
   Liz -- Yes, Don't "f" it up, which is how I've
learned all breaks are given, I think in Hollywood and
probably everywhere else. No one ever says, 'Well, it's
your time. We're really proud of you and you're ready.'
No, it's: 'Hey, you're the only one left standing. Try
not to mess it up!' And I had done, I had been working
on Hercules, but I had been working in a more junior
capacity and hadn't had full responsibility on my
shoulders. Then the person who was in my position had
to go off and do another show, so then I was tossed
right into the middle of Xena. It's been great. Because
I personally am just so into the show. You know, Wonder
Woman was one of my favorite shows when I was a kid and
now I get to make Wonder Woman.
   Mary -- Yes and better.
   Liz -- That's right. No sissy bracelets and lassos
for Xena. She'll just knock your block off.
   Mary -- Absolutely.
(audio clip from Callisto where Xena asks Gabrielle if
she notices "that look of fear and hatred" and notes
how she used to want to see that look. "It meant I was
doing my job," Xena said.)
   Keith -- A little clip from Xena there. We're going
to take a quick break. We're talking to Liz Friedman.
She's one of the producers of Xena: Warrior Princess.
It airs locally on channel 56, Saturday evenings at 9
pm. Stick around. Don't touch that dial. This is One in
Ten, fnx (Can't tell what this is), 1017, linn (can't
tell what this is) Boston, Radio Anarchy Boston.
  (After the break)
   Mary -- We're talking to Liz Friedman, who's the
open lesbian producer of the show, and Xena , which
airs on 56 on Saturdays at 9 o'clock.  That's in the
evening and Sundays at 1 in the afternoon. When did you
guys begin to get the sense, Liz, that this was going
to be a cult happening thing? That there was a little
bit of extra buzz happening around Xena?
   Liz -- That's a good question. I think probably
about the middle of last season where it sort of
started to become clear through buzz on the Internet
and stuff: Oh OK, people are reading it this way;
that's interesting. We always thought it was great
because it means that there are people who have a real
passionate interest in your show. I know certainly that
as a representationaly starved queer, as I think we
all are, when you see somebody who you feel is paying
some attention to you and is even willing to leave
something open to that kind of interpretation, you have
a more positive response to it. You're more inclined to
follow that show. The idea of having that kind of loyal
and supportive audience, I think, always appealed to
all of us.
   Mary -- There's even been an Olivia cruise.
(Transcribers Note: Olivia is a company that serves the
lesbian community, including setting up all-lesbian
cruises)
   Liz -- I know.
   Mary -- I love that, the Xena cruise. I can't decide
whether that would be my worst nightmare or my greatest
fantasy. You know what I'm saying, Liz?
   Liz -- (laughing)  I think that's exactly how I
feel. All these people talking about the show? Weird.
   Keith -- It reminds me of some of the excitement
that surrounded the Simpsons for awhile. There are so
many in-jokes, like even the little disclaimers that
run at the end of the show.
   Liz -- Oh, do you like those?
   Keith -- Yes, those are great.
   Liz -- I write those.
   Keith -- Do you?
   Liz -- With some help from people in post. We all of
sort throw all our ideas in and then we insult each
other's ideas and then we come up with what's good.
   Keith -- It's something to track. It's something to
be aware of above and beyond, it makes you part of the
in crowd.
   Liz -- Right. I was just amazed when people actually
started reading those. We started doing them mainly as
jokes for ourselves and sure enough it came back that
people were actually starting to read the microscopic
letters at the end of each episode.
   Keith -- Monty Python and the Holy Grail with the
whole llama thing.
   Liz -- Right.
   Mary -- The humor in the show too ,Liz, is part of
what gives it it's camp quality. Wouldn't you say?
   Liz -- Yes, I think so, but you know what's weird
about both Hercules and Xena is that we've often been
described as campy, but it's pretty much unintentional.
Certainly there's humor in the shows. We always said
there are no thees and thous, the dialogue is totally
contemporary, which I'm certain some people would see
as campy. But we take a very straight-on approach to
the stories. I think when people try to do really
campy, silly stuff on television it generally hasn't
work. Like Naked Gun can sustain as movies, but can't
really sustain as television. The thing is that we've
always approached the actual stories as if there's real
jeopardy. The characters take it very seriously and
there's a valid emotional and adventure story in the
middle of that. Certainly, there are lots of silly
little bits of dressing, but we never treat the central
adventure as a joke. That's part of why they work.
   Mary -- Part of it for me that makes it that way is
just the sort of fierceness of Xena, the warrior, is
just so fabulous and there's all this screaming and
then she whips out, what's that little round thing?
   Liz -- Oh, her chakram.
   Mary -- I mean who ever heard of a chakram? Who even
knows if it's a real name?
   Liz -- It does exist.
   Mary -- Does it? Like in the Bible or what?
   Liz -- Yes, well, we have this huge catalogue of
weapons which you would imagine we do get to use
occasionally. There's a chakram in it.
   Keith -- You have to describe a chakram.
   Liz -- A killer Frisbee is how I think of it. So if
you had a Frisbee that is a boomerang.
   Keith -- So if you had a frisbee that was a cross
like a frisbee, a boomerang and an IUD.
   Liz -- (laughing) You know I wonder if that's what
Xena uses for birth control. I never thought about it
that way.
   Mary -- It's part of her just coming out and you
know, just pummeling any enemy that comes out, even
Gabrielle.
   Liz -- Right, and the rules of gravity do not apply
to Xena.
   Keith -- That split kick alone, which has to be
her=7F
trademarked move. Correct?
   Liz -- Ah, I think the flip is the little bit more
of Xena. It's the flip in with the warrior yell that
she does.
   Mary -- Semi orgasmic by the way.
   Keith -- Mary has been doing the warrior yell all
evening, all around the studio, running  around, very
dramatic.
   Liz -- It's really hard, though, to get that. I
don't know how Lucy does it.
   Mary -- It's hard not to be self conscious. I mean
just trying to do a Xena imitation , makes one blush,
actually.
   Liz -- It is tough. and a lot of that action stuff
-- Everyone at Renaissance is big fans of Hong Kong
action movies. And a lot of the Xena fighting stuff in
particular is really inspired by that. It's a lot of
fun to get to do favorite bits from the Hong Kong
action movies we've seen.
   Mary -- Is the goal of Xena to get her off of these
sort of secondary stations and get her off this
Saturday night bit and move it onto network, or is part
of the fun you're able to have because you're slightly
out of the norm?
   Liz --- No, I don't think we'd every want to take
Xena to a network. We're doing very well. It's been a
good. The shows are doing very well for Universal and
for the stations. I'm really glad we got upgraded in
Boston. Last year we were on, I think, at 1130 at
night. It was Hercules was 1130 and Xena was 1230 and
so nobody was seeing it. I'm glad we've gotten upgraded
to a more reasonable time period. Saturday nights, at
least in some cities like New York and LA, we do very
well.
   Keith -- Do you see it going the route where
Paramount took Star Trek. Do you see a Xena/Hercules
motion picture in the offering perhaps?
   Liz -- We've talked about it. We don't really
have any plans right now. We're going to keep going
with the series for a while and see where that takes
us. I think there could be some merit in a feature, but
I think we're much earlier into the cycle than the Next
Generation was when they decided to go do the features.
   Mary -- What about the audience generally, I mean
take away gay-straight, do you think Xena attracts more
women and Hercules more men then women or vice versa or
very mixed? How do the numbers look on that?
   Liz -- I think we're fairly mixed. I think Xena
attracts slightly more women, also a slightly older
audience than Hercules.
   Mary -- That's interesting.
   Liz -- What I discovered is that families really
like Hercules. It's a really good program for kids and
parents to sit down and watch together and
particularly=7F
that people in my age group , in their 20s and their
30s really respond to Xena.
   Keith -- Well, Liz we want to say thank you and
congratulations on the success of the show. Continued
success to you.
   Liz -- Thank you guys for your support.
   Mary -- We hope to talk to you soon. Have fun, Liz,
take care.
   Liz -- Goodbye.


[579] 10-15-96
   UTV: The Ultimate Television Network.
http://www.ultimatetv.com/home.html
   COMMENTARY: This is the longest and most complete
media account of the accident. I'm not certain what to
make of the fact that this appeared in an online
publication and not a print one, except to note that
both print and broadcast media are always pressed for
space and time. This limits the detail they can provide
and may be one of the biggest reasons that online media
are becoming more important to a segment of the public.
This story includes some expanded details about the
accident and a comment from fandom's own Lucia Correa,
who witnessed the accident and wrote to clarify that
the horse did not throw Lawless, but instead fell out
from under her. Although this was published online a
week after the accident, it did not provide any new
bits of information that were not supplied to online
Xenadom by fans who were on the scene.[DS]
   REPRINT:
   UTV - Xena Will Ride Again. By N.F. Mendoza,
managing editor, UTV "UTV: Xena Update From Lucy
Lawless'  fall at `The Tonight Show'  " Xena Will Ride
Again  Worry not, because "Xena: Warrior Princess" will
be back on the  warpath.
   Lucy Lawless, who plays Xena, had taken a fall from
a horse  during a comedy skit for NBC's  "The Tonight
Show With Jay Leno.  Lawless, an experienced horsewoman
who often does many of her own stunts  in the
action-filled  mythical adventure series, fractured her
pelvis in five places.  She's currently recovering in
Burbank, Calif.
   "You've got this animal that weighs, what? 1200
lbs. with a  brain the size of a golf ball, you just
don't know what they're going  to do," a show
spokesperson tells UTV. "If  they don't want a rider on
them, they'll throw them, no matter how experienced the
rider is."
   Two versions of the skit had already been shot, when
the  director called for a third that would  have
Lawless riding up to  "The Tonight Show" stage door. It
was during  the last shot that the  horse threw  the 6"
ft. tall Lawless. UTV received this e-mail message from
Lucia Correa, who says she was at the scene of the
injury: "Lawless was not thrown from the horse.  The
horse slipped on the asphalt/concrete and fell on it's
side, taking Lawless with it [... and] landed on her
hip.  The spokesperson made it sound like the horse
misbehaved and threw Lawless.  This was not the case.
I know because I was there and saw what happened."
   Lawless was in the United States on a promotional
tour while her show was on hiatus during the  New
Zealand winter (which coincides  with the United
States' summer). "Xena" shoots in Lawless' native  New
Zealand.
   Production on the hit show -- a spin-off of
another syndicated  hit, "Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys" -- will continue.
   The spokesperson noted that 10 episodes of the
new season have  been shot, taking the series to  the
end of the year. The episodes affected by Lawless'
injury will be shows that were designated to be shot
after January 1997. It's expected that the injury will
be rewritten into the script, but  there's no
confirmation on what that will entail. Lawless had
been expected back so production could resume some
time in the last two weeks of October. "We're moving
along, and she will heal and will return, and
production won't be shutting down," concludes the
spokesperson.
   "Xena: Warrior Princess" is syndicated. Check your
local listings. You can send Lucy Lawless an online
get-well card.


[580] 10-15-96
     THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Section: LIFE. Page C2. 502
words. "For Mrs. JFK Jr. It Pays to Stay.
   COMMENTARY: This piece of work gets the prize as the
most disgusting story published about Lawless'
accident. After first insulting fans of XWP, the writer
trivializes the accident, comparing the real-life event
with the way such a fall would be filmed for a TV
series. The article also confuses a fractured pelvis
with a broken hip. This is truly an example of the
Let's-Be-Cute School of Journalism. [DS]
   EXCERPT:
   SHE SHOULD'VE USED SPELL OF INVINCIBILITY
   Fans of Xena, Warrior Princess - at least those with
an attention span of more than five minutes, leaving at
least six in the Valley alone - may think a woman in a
leather bustier is darn near indestructible.
   That certainly is true as long as you have a good
stunt double willing to take the risks. That wasn't the
case when Lucy Lawless, who plays Xena but has such a
great name the series should be called "Lucy Lawless,
Warrior Princess," was taping a comedy skit for The
Tonight Show.
   There were three problems. Firstly, it was in a
parking lot. Secondly, it involved a not-so-sure-footed
horse. Thirdly, a stunt double was not used.
Third-and-a-halfly, Lawless was taking this Xena thing
a little too seriously.
   The horse stumbled. In reel life, the director would
have screamed "Cut!" and Lawless would be replaced by a
woman with no talent other than knowing how to avoid
serious injury.
   But this was real life, and Lawless fell off the
horse and fractured her pelvis. Anyone who has ever
wielded a sword of justice knows how difficult it is to
defend the innocent with a broken hip. It's even harder
to defend the not-so-innocent, as Johnnie Cochran Jr.
knows.
   Lawless was taken to an LA hospital for treatment,
as if a warrior princess needed medical help to get
better. Hopefully, she had her mystical healing stone,
but maybe she kept that in her other bustier.


=======
LETTERS
=======


Lesbians And More Lesbians!
---------------------------
Date: Sat, 11 Oct 1997 
Subject: XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28

Hi Kim. I just finished reading the MEDIA/LESBIAN piece
[XMR #28] and I have a 3rd theory: for some reason the
word LESBIAN (actually *anything* about lesbians) seems
to be a real *buzz* word right now, and I think the
critics want to seem to be IN and HIP by including it
in their reviews. It's a teaser eye-candy to lure in
the readers. The results sure can make it uncomfortable
at school sometimes!

Kitchen Warrior
a-STARO@webtv.net


Commentary on Mystery Man (XMR #28, XMR499)
-------------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 13 Oct 1997
Subject: XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28

Mystery man sounds so sick too me. Why would someone do
something like that to a lot of great actors and the
special Xena show? If we aren't, careful we could all
lose the shows because of some sicko, who would try to
make a buck off anything they can. Everyone knows all
it takes is something said about a show not being good
and has people doing crazy things, and then they want
to take it off the air.

Thank you for the hard work you guys do there for all
of us out here who love Ms.Lawless aka Xena.

L.G
Jardog5@aol.com


Blunders, Blunders, and More Blunders
-------------------------------------

Date: Mon, 03 Nov 1997 
Subject: XMR #28 Borg 1 of 5

Yo, Kym!  Honeychild, what's the deal with every date
after the Grease review being 1988!!!!?????  88???? 
Huh????? 

Laine R Lawless 
rlawless@sj.bigger.net

KYM'S COMMENT:

Oops.



Commentary on Glanton (XMR #29, XMR506)
---------------------------------------

Date: Sat, 08 Nov 1997 
Subject: XMR #29 2 0f 5

XMR506. Glanton states that Lawless is "muscular". 
Where?  Have those who write about Xena suddenly taken
leave of their senses and become blind?  Or is it the
Xena mystique that leads them all to think that LL is
actually taller, bigger, more muscled, and bustyer than
she really is?  Has the legend grown larger than the
woman?  Lucy Lawless is a very trim, tall, good-looking
young woman, but she does not appear to be muscular. 
ROC looks more muscular to me.  I'm sure after all the
working out LL has done for XWP, she's much stronger
than before.  But does she appear muscular?  No, I
don't think so! 

Laine R Lawless 
rlawless@sj.bigger.net


Looks Like Gabrielle's Out of Luck!
-----------------------------------

Date: Fri, 12 Dec 1997 
Subject: Xena media review #28

To let Xena do her sidekick would take the show off
track. The reason she can't do her [Gabrielle] is the
same reason she can't do any of the men. Once she
[Xena] finds true love her mission is over.

NF69cancer@aol.com



=============
THE BACK PAGE
=============

XENA MEDIA REVIEW STAFF: 
Living to serve Xena fandom since March 1996!
   Kym Masera Taborn (KT), editor-in-chief
       ktaborn@lightspeed.net
   Diane Silver (DS), editor (even issues)
       dswriter@idir.net
   Maria Erb (MBE), editor (odd issues)
       maria@erb.mv.com
   Barbara Johnson, circulation 
       xenatwo@aol.com
   Lydia M. Woods (LM), assist. to the editor-in-chief
       woodsl@erol.com
   Lucia Correa, TWXN circulation (mailing lists)
   Tim Smith, TWXN circulation (news groups)
   Angela Atkins, TWXN circulation (forums)
   Thomas Simpson, mascot
       thomas@xenafan.com
       
BACK ISSUES: Back issues of XMR are available at the
XMR Archive on the XMR web page: http://xenafan.com/xmr

THIS WEEK IN XENA NEWS: TWXN is the currently
hibernating advance sheet for XMR, looking to be
resurrected soon. Since XMR offers indepth analysis of
media coverage, the issues are distanced in order to
gain perspective and insight into how the media report
affected the future or was affected by its peers. TWXN
is a commentary-lite review of excerpts to be used in
future XMRs as they are processed for the XMR database.
TWXN is not available for subscription, however it is
posted regularly on the XenaVerse, Hercules-Xena, and
Chakram Mailing Lists (thank you Lucia!), the MCA
NetForum (when they are accepting posts!), the Xenite
Message Center (whenever I can find them!), and
alt.tv.xena. 

REPRINT POLICY: Permission to use, copy and distribute
Xena Media Review (XMR), or parts thereof, by
electronic means for any non-profit purpose is hereby
granted, provided that both the below copyright notice
and this permission notice appear in all copies of the
newsletter itself, and that proper credit is given for
any excerpts. Any other format or purpose for
distribution requires permission of the author.
Reproducing XMR or parts thereof by any means implies
full agreement to the below non-profit use clause.
   
SOLICITATIONS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS: Send cites,
references, articles, annotations, and/or submissions
to ktaborn@lightspeed.net and I will love you for it.
XMR is a non-profit fan publication. The editors retain
editorial control and reprint privileges over the
submitted materials and reserve the right to use the
material in whatever way they deem appropriate.
Submitted materials will not be returned to the sender.

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 Pictures, and any other rightful
and legal copyright holder). 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, especially in the light of popular culture
and the influence of mass media. XMR exercises its
right to quote, excerpt or reprint as allowed under the
law in order to review and discuss the media reports
cited and annotated herein. XMR is distributed free of
charge via electronic media. Banner graphic by Colleen
Stephan. This is WHOOSH Publication. Copyright 1996,
1997,1998 by Kym Masera Taborn.



