     _____               ______                               ._
     `\`/>`\            /`/` /`__________,.'>___      _____   )~\
       /<`\ `\        /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\     |\./|  / | \
      /< `\`\ `\    /`/` /`   | | |----\ /  | |\ \    | | |././^\ \
 |\__{o}\--`\`\ `\/`/` /`-----| | |-----`------\`\`\--| | |----^ \ \----.
[\\\\\\\{*}==`>      <`=======| | ==============`\`\`\| | |=====\ \ \==-->
 |/~~{o}/-- /`/  /\ \ `\------| | |---------------`\`\\ | |------\ \ \--'
      \<  /`/` /`  `\`\ `\    | | |_____,.'>| | |   `\`\| | /'    \ \ \
       \< /` /`      `\`\ `\  ,/ /^\------> / |/^\|   \ | |/       \/^\\.
      /`/\>/`           `\`\ `\`~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ~~~~~   )^\,\,      '~~~~~
     `~~~~~`             '~~~~~`            `          ~~~~~~
==========================
XENA: THE MEDIA REVIEW #16
==========================
An All Talk No Action Publication
http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS.html
c/o RIF BBS, P.O. Box 81181, Bakersfield, CA 93308
RIF BBS (805) 588-9349  [24hrs, 14.4bps, free]

225 subscribers and growing!
This document has 1250 lines.

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

Issue No. 16
Release date: July 20, 1996
Covering 03/16/96 through 04/02/96
Annotations #201 through #220

-------------
Introduction:
-------------
   The summer is just about over for me and my XMR hi-jinks.
Tomorrow I have XenaFest II to attend, and then after that I have
to start preparations for my three week vacation (which I am
looking MOST forward to).
   The reason for the lateness of this XMR was that I spent the
last week at a business meeting. Many things happened there which
I was not anticipating. They were good things and because of that
I have to manage my time even more >tightly<. Heh heh. No, this
is not a Dear Xena letter. I still intend to publish XMR.
However, Whoosh season will be amongst us soon and I have other
matters which require my time. THEREFORE, I will no longer strive
to release XMR every Friday. I will send it out according to no
known pattern; I'll just do it as the mood hits me (and the time
develops).  I will keep up This Week In Xena News as long as I
have the wherewithal (if you see any used wherewithals cheap,
please contact me ASAP).  
   I will still do work on the Hercules Media Review (still in
the throes of pre-production angst), but more as an executive
publisher than as an actual day-to-day editor.
   I hope to get some copy from the Xena-Fest, however, I am in
no shape to put together another issue before I fly off into the
distance on July 27th.  Therefore, if I am still conscious when I
return from my great Northern Mid-Western Tour, you might be
lucky and see XMR #17 on or about August 23rd. I know that's over
a month, and I know many were using this newsletter as a method
of surviving Xena Withdrawal Syndrome, but suffering is good for
the soul, right????
   It's been real and I have enjoyed every moment of this
endeavor. I have met many interesting and pleasant people through
this project (17 issues in three and a half months!).  I intend
to start up XMR when I return. Perhaps I will toy with the
concept and make a NEW AND IMPROVED XMR. The possibilities are
limitless. I hope everyone has a wonderful summer and I am outta
here!
--Kym

----------
TIMELINE
----------
 3/04/96  18   The Prodigal
 3/11/96   8R  Prometheus
 3/18/96   9R  Death in Chains
 3/25/96  10R  Hooves and Harlots
 4/01/96  11R  The Black Wolf


-----------
ANNOTATIONS
-----------

[201] 03-16-96
   THE TORONTO STAR. Page K7. 727 words. "Is Hollywood ready for
a superhero woman?" By Antonia Zerbisias
   COMMENTARY:  Article about another strong female character in
the making. Turns out that Lucy Lawless has become a role model
for action actresses.
   EXCERPT:
   Negrita Jayde plans to muscle her way to the top.
   The former competitive bodybuilder is now pumping up a career
as an action movie star. On the set of Safety Zone, a futuristic
crime thriller shooting in Toronto, she's the big bad woman to
Matthias Hues' ( I Come In Peace) action hero.
   It's not a mega-budget movie - far from it - and it's not
going to smash box-office records because it's going straight to
video.   
   But, to Jayde, it's the break she needs after bit parts in
series such as E.N.G. and in health shows on The Life Network.    
Already, it has helped her land a second movie role as
Hercules' female nemesis in a Hollywood action picture to be shot
in Spain next summer. 
   She'll be starring opposite Hues again.
   "I think Hollywood is ready for a woman who looks like a comic
book superhero for real," she says.
   "No padded costume, no special effects - that's me.
   "So I think there are openings, lots of openings, for me," she
continues, musing about the spectacular Lucy Lawless, star of the
campy series Xena: Warrior Princess, and Linda Hamilton's
muscle-bound mom in Terminator 2: Judgement Day.
   "I'd like to get to the same standing as an Arnold
Schwarzenegger or a Jean Claude Van Damme," Jayde says.
   "I think a strong female lead can be even more entertaining
because she can add so much more texture to a part that's usually
a typical, predictable, formula tough guy.
   "Plus I think I'm believable because I'm really tough in life. 
   "I burned out training partners. It didn't matter if they were
250 pounds, by the time I finished with them, they melted down
like candle wax." ...


[202] 03-17-96
   THE TORONTO STAR. Page C1. 1455 words. "How Moses Hotwired
Cottage Country. A Sleepy Little Station Explodes into a Flashy
City-TV North. The Over-40s Hate It, but it Pays" By Greg Quill
   COMMENTARY: After a station changed it's concept, the viewers
were invited to offer comment. XWP was mentioned by one viewer
not too fondly; it was referred to as "cheap American junk".
   EXCERPT:
   ...Other typical comments from long-time viewers:...
   ...* "I like the expanded news coverage, but the rest of your
schedule is filled with cheap American junk like Duckman, Maury
Povich, Hercules, Xena, Day & Date and downtown repeats from
CITY. What's the point?"
   The point is the pursuit of a younger audience, the money
spenders, and access to the huge Metro Toronto market via the
last channel still capable of competing there...


[203] 03-18-96
   BROADCASTING & CABLE. Vol. 126. No. 12. Page 32. 675 words.
"Action Shows Take Strange Twist: New Hours Will Inject More
Fantasy and Sci-fi in Mix." By Cynthia Littleton
   COMMENTARY: An article about the shift from realism to fantasy
in the action genre on television.  XWP was presented as a key
inspiration for the shift.
   EXCERPT:
   New hours will inject more fantasy and sci-fi in mix
   Dare to be different--that's the I battle cry of syndicators
with new action hours in the works for next season.
   Inspired by the success of MCA Television's offbeat Hercules:
The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess, the upcoming
crop of first-run dramas is promising to blend the genre's
traditional machismo with elements of sci-fi, fantasy, suspense
and humor.
   Industry observers say that is a positive sign for the
first-run genre, which faltered last season with a number of
costly failures from such big-gun producers as Rysher
Entertainment and Spelling Entertainment. 
   "Hercules was not launched with a great deal of hype," says
Bill Carroll, director of programing for Katz Television. "It was
the audience that found the show. In today's cluttered TV
environment, it takes a show with a different look to make people
stop and watch." 
   Next to Xena, this season's success story among new first-run
dramas has been MGM Television's revival of the 1960s sci-fi
anthology series The Outer Limits. The show has significantly
outperformed fellow freshman Land's End and Baywatch Nights in
the all-important demo derby, further encouraging next season's
new shows to delve into parallel universes and other paranormal
themes....


[204]  03-19-96
   NOTE: Articles about the possible strike by below-the-line
crews and how it could impact on syndicated action hours.


[204a] 03-19-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Page  1. 587 words. "Clash Clouds IA Contract;
Some below-the-liners feel pact hits below the belt" by Ted
Johnson
   COMMENTARY: Strikes loomed in horizon. XWP mentioned in
passing.
   EXCERPT:
   Strong opposition among union rank-and-file to a new contract
covering Hollywood's below-the-line crews has raised serious
doubts that the new pact will pass in balloting that began
Monday.
   If the pact is not ratified by the April 1 deadline, it could
create a de facto strike situation, because IATSE would not go
back to the bargaining table until July. Studios, fearing a
walkout after the current pact's July 31 expiration, would
schedule their productions around the date.   
   Opponents -- including leaders and members in some of the
Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees' largest locals,
such as props and grips -- say it gives away too much...
   ...Critics contend the budget figure is too high, and
producers simply will shave their expenses down to that level to
get the breaks. Opponents say that workers on such shows would
make as much as 22% less in hourly wages than what they would get
on a higher-budgeted one-hour drama. 
   Supporters say producers of most network one-hour dramas will
have a tough time getting budgets to those levels, given the
other expenses involved in producing such shows.
   Instead, supporters say, the breaks are really aimed at
getting syndicated shows -- such as "Kung Fu,""Xena" and
"Hercules"-- back to Los Angeles. 
   Under limited breaks given to one-hour dramas and pilots,
there already has been more work for crew members. IATSE leaders
say 20 one-hour shows are produced in Los Angeles and only 13 are
produced outside the city, most of them nonunion. Two years ago,
14 shows were shot inside L.A. and 17 left Southern California...


[204b] 04-04-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Page 1. 924 words. "Despite bitter local
debate, contract finds 60% approval" by Ted Johnson
   COMMENTARY: The strike was averted. XWP mentioned in passing.
   EXCERPT:
   Hollywood's below-the-line crews ratified a new contract
Wednesday, averting a possible production slowdown after a bitter
debate over the new pact cast serious doubts on its passage.
   The ratification, which gives members a contract until 2000,
passed by 60% to 40%, according to an official statement from the
Intl. Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Raw numbers were
not released, but several locals said that the agreement passed
by a delegate vote of 146-94....
   ...The L.A. question
   Still, on both sides, much attention will be paid in the
coming months to see if the one-hour agreement leads to more work
in Los Angeles. The proviso is aimed at syndicated shows that are
filmed outside California, even overseas, such as "Hercules" and
"Xena."
   As yet, no show has announced whether it will move to Los
Angeles, although IATSE officials have said they have been in
discussions.
   Said one IATSE leader: "It's going to take a while for the
dust to clear."...



[205] 03-20-96
   THE NEW YORK TIMES. Page C1. 1130 words. "'Seinfeld' Is On.
Pass the Junior Mints." by Andrea Higbie
   COMMENTARY:  A discussion of what to eat while watching
certain television shows. Rather silly, but gave a menu of
"Grapes, wine, Greek salad and ham" for XWP and HTLJ.
   EXCERPT:
   DR. DANNY CHU, a gastroenterologist who lives in Battery Park
City, finds himself consistently eating certain foods during
certain television shows. "During 'E.R.,' I eat Popsicles," he
said. "The show has a lot of drama and it's so fast moving.
Popsicles are cool, so they counteract what's going on." 
   How does he decide what to eat when the television set is on?
Simple. "It's a subconscious thing," he said.  
    Peter Baglieri says he and his wife, Linda, put some thought
into what they eat while they watch. "For 'Seinfeld,' we order in
pasta," said Mr. Baglieri, who lives in Murray Hill and is the
president of Baggs Studio, a graphic design company. "Pasta is a
New York kind of dish. And you're eating, but it's quiet so you
don't miss the jokes."
   On an average day, an average adult spends 77 minutes eating,
said Harry Balzer, the vice president of the NPD Group, a
marketing research company in Rosemont, Ill. And on an average
day, that average person spends 2 hours 34 minutes watching
television. While there is no comprehensive information on how
many people watch and eat simultaneously, the two activities seem
inevitably to overlap. "I eat while I watch TV," Mr. Balzer said.
"Of course." 
   Some combinations just seem right, and so they are right, and
the ultimate pairings -- like love and marriage -- are simply an
instinct that cannot be ignored....
   ...Monday...
   ...STAR TREK: VOYAGER Tang...
   ...Friday...
   ...THE X-FILES Omelettes and cigarettes...
   ...Saturday...
   HERCULES: THE LEGENDARY JOURNEYS and XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
Grapes, wine, Greek salad and ham....
   ...STAR TREK: DEEP SPACE NINE More Tang....
   ...Daily Shows...
   ...TONIGHT with Jay Leno: Ritz
crackers and Cheez Whiz.
   LATE SHOW WITH DAVID LETTERMAN Maalox and a cigar, in honor of
Dave...


[206] 03-21-96
   NOTE: Ratings for the 1st release of The Prodigal.  It earned
a 4.8 share and ranked 3rd in action hours.  It was repeated
three months later with a 4.7 share and ranked 2nd. 


[206a] 03-21-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Page 32. 173 words. "For week ended March 10,
1996"
   COMMENTARY: The Prodigal, 1st release.
   REPRINT:
Rank Program (Stations/% coverage) AA% GAA% 
1 Wheel of Fortune (220/98) 12.9 -- 
2 Jeopardy! (215/98) 11.1 -- 
3 Home Improvement (220/97) 10.0 10.6 
4 Oprah Winfrey Show (228/99) 8.3 8.4 
4 Seinfeld (218/98) 8.3 -- 
6 Entertainment Tonight (173/94) 7.2 7.2 
7 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (235/98) 6.5 6.9 
8 Home Improvement--Wknd. (214/95) 6.4 -- 
8 Simpsons (186/94) 6.4 6.5 
10 Wheel of Fortune--Wknd.(174/81) 6.3 -- 
11 Journeys of Hercules (219/97) 6.1 6.6 
12 Inside Edition (160/91) 5.9 6.0 
13 Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (163/91) 5.6 6.0 
14 Hard Copy (177/91) 5.2 5.3 
14 World Wrestling Fed. PR (156/90) 5.2 6.9 
16 Roseanne (173/91) 5.1 5.4 
17 Live w/Regis & Kathie Lee (233/99) 4.9 -- 
18 Xena (198/96) 4.8 5.3 
19 Baywatch (222/96) 4.7 4.8 
19 Outer Limits (205/94) 4.7 4.9 
19 WCW Wrestling (176/93) 4.7 6.8 
   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.


[206b] 03-25-96
   Variety. Page 28. 190 words. "Nielsen Syndication Ratings"
   COMMENTARY: The Prodigal, 1st release.
   REPRINT:
   For week ended March 10, 1996  
...18   Xena  198/96   4.8     5.3...


[206c] 04-01-96
   VARIETY. Page 37. 1190 words. "Syndicated yak stars swept
aside" By Jim Benson.
   COMMENTARY:  Same as XMR206b.


[207]  03-21-96
   NOTE: In Arizona, a local controversy arose when a local
station cancelled a sports program and put on XWP instead.


[207a] 03-21-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page D2. 865 words.  "Cable Snags
D-backs, NHL Team" By Tim Tyers
   COMMENTARY: This article memorialized a rare moment where Xena
replaced a sports program!
   EXCERPT:
   ...PRIME LOSS
   ...Not only did Xena: Warrior Princess slam-dunk on Hercules,
moving past the big fella into the No. 2 spot among syndicated
shows, she took Prime Sports Live and Jude LaCava to the hoop and
posted them up.
   As of April 7, KSAZ-TV (Channel 10) is benching Sunday night's
Prime Sports, the Valley's only hourlong sports production, in
favor of the sword-swinging amazon with the bad attitude.
   "We're doing it basically for a couple of reasons," said Dan
Berkery, president and general manger of KSAZ. "Number 1, we felt
we had to redeploy some of the our assets. It was an hourlong
show in prime time and took a lot of time from other areas of the
station. It's really a good show, very innovative, but an
enormous drain on resources.
   "Number 2, was to give our late news a more balanced lead-in,
to get more women involved."
   Then, tossing in some humor, Berkery added another reason:   
"Number 3, it will give Jude more time to find a wife and have a
more balanced life."
   Stop running, LaCava. Halt!
   Word is, a half-hour version of the same show is being
considered, either at 5:30 p.m. or at 10:30 p.m. on Sundays.
   "That's not solidified," Berkery said. "There is talk about
it, but nothing has been decided."
   Frankly, this is a sad deal -- not that Xena: Warrior
Princess, like most syndicated shows, isn't intellectually
stimulating (after all, Baywatch, ranks No. 1). Prime producer
Neil Wolf, LaCava and the sports staff at Channel 10 tried some
innovative things on the show. Some failed. Most did not.    It
will be missed (unless you had to break up your Sunday night to
go to the station for a five-minute interview)....

[207b] 03-24-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page C2. 858 words. "TV Ad Gives Bad
Info about Sport" by Jeff Metcalfe
   COMMENTARY: A nasty aside about the sportscaster who was
bumped by XWP.
   EXCERPT:
   ...It's good for Jude LaCava, the Channel 10 sportscaster who
appears in the ad, that the fiery Reidy isn't due back here until
after the national championships or Xena, the warrior princess
who slew Prime Sports Live, would be the least of his worries....


[207c] 04-09-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page C5. 647 words. "Reluctant Pitchman
for CBS Admits Being Bewitched by 'Bonnie'" By DAVE WALKER
   COMMENTARY: More snide remarks about Jude LaCava's replacement
by XWP.                
   EXCERPT:
   ...SUPPLEMENTAL SURF NOTES
   In case anyone's keeping score, Xena: Warrior Princess
replaced Jude LaCava's Arizona Prime Sports in the Sunday-night
lineup of Channel 10 (KSAZ) and got a 2.3 rating (percentage of
total local TV households) and 4 share (percentage of sets in
use). The hourlong sports show's February average in that time
slot was 3.7/6.
   When station management killed LaCava's show, the stated
reason was to provide the 10 p.m. newscast with a better lead-in.
We won't know the all-important demographic breakdown of Xena's
new 9 p.m. Sunday audience until after the May sweeps book, but
the first week's household numbers look like this: The 10 p.m.
newscast, which averaged a 5.2 rating/10 share in February
sweeps, scored a 3.9/7 on Sunday....


[208] 03-24-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Page F12. 691 words. "Oscar
program as it really should be done; Television: How our TV
critic would reshape the annual Oscarcast, if she were in charge"
by Kinney Littlefield
   COMMENTARY: Fluff piece which fantasized what it would be like
having Xena host the Academy Awards with Chuck Norris.
   EXCERPT:
   Poor Oscar.  No humility (Oscar thinks he's the most important
awards show in the world, but I prefer the Westminster dog show),
no taste (yard-sale gowns and tuxes), no rhythm (song-and-dance
interludes look like Disneyland parades), and such a dull boy
(the Academy Awards telecast goes on forever).
   But we can fix that.
   If I were king of the Academy Awards telecast...
   ...And sorry, Whoopi.  I'd choose martial artists Chuck Norris
(CBS' "Walker, Texas Ranger") and Lucy Lawless (syndicated "Xena:
Warrior Princess") to host.  No one would get long-winded around
them.  Plus Chuck and Lucy would choreograph a serious chorus
line of kick-boxing mixed Cyclopes, satyrs and reformed Hollywood
bad boys and madams...
   ...GRAPHIC: ...LUCY LAWLESS; Star of ' Xena; Warrior Princess'
would co-host the Oscar telecast with Chuck Norris....


[209] 03-24-96
   THE MORNING CALL (Allentown). Page E2, 1217 words. "Television
and Movies Influenced 20th Century Collectibles" By Harry Rinker
   COMMENTARY: A detailed article about the collectibility of TV
influenced items. XWP was mentioned as a good bet collectible.
   EXCERPT:
   ...During the 10-year period, 1970 to 1980, when prime time
television licensing was on the decline and Saturday morning
television licensing was establishing itself, a window of
opportunity opened for movie licensing to challenge television as
king of the licensing hill. The movie industry, lead by the
phenomenal licensing success of the Star Wars movies, responded
aggressively. Movie licensing continued its strength during the
1980s. The steady release of Star Trek movies complemented by the
success of televisions "Star Trek: The Next Generation, Deep
Space Nine," and "Star Trek: Voyager" continually fueled
collector interest. The movie industry's dual strategy of linking
film with comic book characters, --Batman, Dick Tracy, and The
Green Hornet, and television show revivals, -- "The Flintstones,"
produced a wealth of licensed products. Disney's revival of the
animated cartoon as a major motion picture feature film
strengthened the movie industry's position in the licensing area. 
   Just as it appeared that movie licensing would replace
television licensing as the dominant toy licensing medium, along
came Bandai with its Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. They turned
the licensing tide back in favor of television. However, the
focus is now on children's Saturday morning programming and
Nickelodeon. The only bright spots in prime time licensing are
Hercules, Xena, and the Star Trek spin-offs.
   My recent visit to the 1996 Toy Fair in New York confirmed
this trend. Movie licensing was most evident by its absence.
Several individuals noticed a decline in the amount of licensing
material for Disney's new "Hunchback of Notre Dame" cartoon as
opposed to previous licensing efforts for films such as "Aladdin"
or "The Lion King." Playmates is developing a major toy line
around "Space Jam," an upcoming movie starring Michael Jordan and
the Looney Tunes....


[210] 03-25-96 
   NOTES: Two articles regarding MCA's decision not to produce
the planned reality strip Justice. 


[210a] 03-25-96
   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. 269 words. "No Justice in syndication"
By Steve Brennan 
   COMMENTARY: MCA decided not to produce the planned reality
strip Justice, which shocked the Hollywood Reporter. MCA during
the news conference cited HTLJ and XWP as MCA successes.
   REPRINT:
   Yet another big TV syndication player has pulled a potential
major program launch from the pad for next season MCA TV has
decided not to go ahead with its planned reality strip Justice.
The decision came as something of a surprise to veteran producer
Dave Bell (LAPD), who brought the project to MCA TV last year,
and said he had fully expected a launch for next fall.   He said
he and partner Clift Lachman will bring the project back as a
weekly reality strip for a network or cable outing. MCA TVs
decision, announced by both Shelly Schwab, president of MCA TV,
and MCA TV group chairman Greg Meidel, came just 24 hours after
Warner Bros. Telepictures Distribution arm called a halt to plans
for its reality series Lifeguard, blaming a dearth of good time
periods in the syndication market. Said MCA TVs Schwab, We have
made the determination that it does not make good economic sense
to proceed with Justice. Although we had strong stations and
major station groups on board, we needed more news-adjacent or
prime access time periods to go forward. Said Bell, This is a
surprise. This is a unique show and unique idea. Justice was set
up to look at every aspect of the justice system and how it
works, from bailiffs to judges, witnesses and victims. Meidel, in
a statement, pointed to MCA TVs success with the weekly action
adventure syndicated weeklies, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys
and Xena: Warrior Princess as well as the upcoming weekly
Beastmaster. He said, We are clearly committed to the first-run
business, both on a strip and a weekly basis.


[210b] 03-25-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Page 4. 403 words. "Timeslot troubles prompt
MCA to cancel 'Justice'" by Jim Benson
   COMMENTARY: Daily Variety quoted from the news conference.
Passing reference to XWP as a successful MCA production.
   EXCERPT:
   MCA TV on Friday yanked "Justice," its firstrun reality strip
for fall, off the syndication market, despite having cleared it
in more than 70% of the U.S. 
   The syndicator, which dropped its "He Says, She Says" strip at
January's National Assn. of Television Program Executives confab,
blamed a lack of coveted news-adjacent and access time periods
for its decision....
   ...In a prepared statement, Meidel said MCA remains "clearly
committed to the firstrun business, both on a strip and weekly
basis."
   The syndicator has been flying high on the weekly front with
the success of "Hercules" and "Xena."
   Each quarter, it produces two-hour movies for "Action Pack"
stations carrying its shows that serve as back-door pilots. In
May, MCA will roll out "Beastmaster," a pre-sold theatrical title
that could become a series in January or September of next year
if it attracts solid ratings.


[211] 03-26-96
   LOS ANGELES TIMES. Page A1. 2610 words. "Hooked on a Dream of
Stardom; Sunny Knox Has Endured Heartache and Hunger While Trying
to Make it in Hollywood. But She Also Got That Hamburger
Commercial. Like Others, She Just Knows Her Big Break Is Coming."
by Nora Zamichow
   COMMENTARY: The woman who could have been Gabrielle. Article
about actress Sunny Knox, who was offered, yet refused the part
of Gabrielle.
   EXCERPT:
   Sunny Knox's parents were horrified when their only daughter
announced she was quitting Ohio State University and going to
Hollywood to become a star. What about her dream of becoming a
television anchorwoman? What about finishing college?...
   Unable to dissuade her, Knox's parents took the next best
step: They cut a deal. They'd support her for three months. If
she didn't land a movie job by then, she'd return home and get
her diploma.
   Maybe she would succeed. She always had. She had been high
school homecoming queen. Her grades were excellent. She had been
captain of the gymnastics team and a cheerleader for football and
hockey. In Dayton, Ohio, she was a somebody.  
   But in Hollywood, she was a nobody.
   "I am so lost in this stupid town," she wrote in her diary in
mid-1992, two months after she arrived. "Shuffled in among the
half-hearted and the has-beens, looking like every other starving
actor, only maybe smiling a little bit more than the rest."
   Knox was--and remains--one of the tens of thousands of wannabe
actors--young women and men with Teflon egos, boundless chutzpah
and enough arrogance to think they will rise where countless
others have fallen. They are the waitresses, secretaries and
bartenders who tell you without blinking that this is going to be
their year, who like addicts insist that all they need is one
more try, one more fix, to make it....
   ...Rehearsing for a play, Knox had a call from her agent
saying she'd won a part she'd auditioned for as a worker in a
McDonald's commercial. She burst into tears of joy. "I'll never
be hungry again."
   The ad eventually paid $ 8,000. It was the break she'd been
waiting for. Knox's slow ascent, inch by inch, had begun...
   ...Six months later, Knox hit again. This time it was a
low-budget movie...
   ...She got the female lead in "Backlash," a movie released in
Europe. For several months of filming in Las Vegas, Los Angeles
and Lake Tahoe, she got room, board--and about $ 500....
   ...So when she landed the part of a sidekick on the syndicated
television show " Xena: Warrior Princess," she turned it down--a
seemingly inexplicable decision for a wannabe. The role would
have paid her about $ 8,000 a week for five months, she said. But
it also required her to go to New Zealand. At the time, she
believed the show was slated to run outside the United States,
making it less attractive. (In fact, the show began airing here
in September.) 
   Knox, then working as a live-in nanny, had simply become
convinced that she could become a star without compromising her
personal life. "It wasn't like the role in 'Xena' could really
make my career," she explained, a year and a half later, with a
trace of discomfort. "I'm going to work because I am good." 
   Her personal manager agreed with her decision, saying it could
have trapped the actress rather than boosting her professionally.
"Sunny has got this spark; she's got a lot of talent," said Susan
Livingston, who began working with Knox after the "Xena" dilemma.
   Several months later, Knox landed a funny bit part on "The
Tonight Show" as a Valley girl whose Val-speak is so thick that
host Jay Leno cannot understand her. Actress Alicia
Silverstone--a recent escapee from wannabeland--was her
translator. Five months after that, Knox got a part on another TV
show, "Night Stand," a spoof of talk shows....


[212] 03-27-96
   DAILY VARIETY. Page 3. 1280 words. "Syndie '95 hits take hit
in sweeps demos" By Jim Benson.
   COMMENTARY: Results of the February 1996 sweeps.
   EXCERPT:
   Call it the flip-flop heard around the talkshow world.
   A Petry National TV analysis shows last year's heavy hitters
taking a turn for the worse in the February sweeps demo derby --
a bad omen for the few remaining new yakkers -- with old reliable
vets such as King World's "Oprah Winfrey" reversing their
downward spiral....
   ...And on the weekly hour front, Paramount's "Star Trek: Deep
Space Nine" maintained its lead with a 4.2/11, but it suffered
year-to-year erosion. 
   Surprisingly, All American's "Baywatch" (4.0/10), which lags
in the separate Nielsen national barter rankings, captured
second-place despite sinking a bit from a year ago.  
   MCA TV's "Hercules -- The Legendary Journeys" ranked third,
slipping to a 3.4/9 from its year-ago average of 3.7/9, but most
of the defecting viewers were age 50-plus. Companion "Xena:
Warrior Princess" was flat at 3.0/9 and half a point below its
lead-in....


[213] 03-28-96 through 04-15-96
   NOTE: The 12th major interview for Ms. Lawless. This interview
apparently was given during the shooting of The Black Wolf (#11,
released 01/08/96).  Why the reporter or paper waited so many
months to release the interview is unknown; however, this article
did correspond with the 2nd release date of Black Wolf. One would
think that an interview would be tied to the first release of an
episode, as opposed to a second release.  The ratings for The
Black Wolf was 5.1 for the 2nd release; much better than the
original 4.8 for the first release. Perhaps this strategy did
work.
   The interview covered familiar territory but included such
gems as Ms. Lawless' pet name for her gauntlets ("gaunties"), her
fan status for Wonder Woman; and her original plans to become a
pathologist ("I still get to cut people up").
   Ms. Lawless stated that too many female roles were "shallow"
and "not challenging for the actress" and that she liked the fact
that Xena had never been rescued by men. 


[213a] 03-28-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page C6. 769 words. "Blessing in
Disguise: 'Xena' Role Conquered by Actress" By Barbara Yost
   COMMENTARY: See note in XMR213 for commentary.
   REPRINT:
   Xena the warrior princess is being groomed. Costumers are
fixing her hair, adjusting her breastplate and lacing up the back
of her leather minidress. Then she's doused with water for that
just-fell-into-a-pit look and sent back to the dungeon.
   It's all in a morning's work for Lucy Lawless, star of the
action series Xena: Warrior Princess, filmed on location in New
Zealand but seen in syndication across America.  
   In today's episode, shot inside a warehouse that doubles as a
sound stage, Xena has been captured and is plotting escape for
herself and other prisoners. Gas-fueled torches are burning
against the polystyrene walls of a fake cave. Manufactured
cobwebs drip from the false ceiling. Foam boulders are piled in
the corners.
   In person, it all looks a little cheesy. But like most
television sets, it will smack of realism when it comes over the
airwaves, and viewers will believe their beloved action heroine
is in peril. They'll also believe that she will get herself out
of yet another sticky situation.
   Xena is a spinoff of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, another
successful syndicated series by the same production team and
filmed in New Zealand. It stars Kevin Sorbo as the half-man,
half-god Greek hero. Lawless originated the Xena role in that
series as Hercules' nemesis. In order to earn her own show, our
warrior princess had to abandon her evil ways and promise to use
her strength and power for good. Nobody likes a bad princess when
she's carrying a whole series on her muscular shoulders.
   Winning the Xena role was something of a stroke of luck for
the New Zealand native. The actress originally intended for the
part backed out, and casting directors tracked down Lawless, who
had played another role in Hercules. After two episodes, a
spinoff was in the works.
   "It was a weird twist of fate," says Lawless, whose pronounced
Kiwi accent transforms into that of a Southern Californian when
the cameras roll. "It was fabulous fun. It never frightened me."
   Except on the first day of shooting when reality set in. She
fled to the makeup room and wept, moaning, "I'm not ready!"
   Since, then, playing Xena has become second nature, just as
her form-fitting "Xena togs," as she calls them, have become her
second skin. While many in the cast are clad in traditional togas
befitting the show's Hellenic period, the princess wears a short
leather dress that fits like a bronzed corset. Her wrists are
covered in leather gauntlets -- she calls them her "gaunties." 
   The costume doesn't allow much breathing room, but Lawless has
gotten used to it. If being cinched in leather is the price she
has to pay for steady work in an industry she enjoys, it's a
small price.
   "I'm totally blessed," she says. "I don't know what I did in a
past life to deserve this."
   That blessing dominates her life. Divorced with a young
daughter, Daisy, who lives with her father during the week,
Lawless devotes most of her time to her work. Weekends she spends
with Daisy.
   "It took me a long time to adjust and narrow down my life,"
she says. "I made my shift to the mind-set . . . there's time for
my daughter outside work and that's all. This is my new life.
This is not drudgery. This is fun." 
   As a girl, Lawless was a fan of Wonder Woman, which starred a
star-spangled, corset-clad Lynda Carter as the comic-book
heroine.
   "I thought it was a cool costume," she says.
   She had plans to become a pathologist before settling into
acting. 
   "I still get to cut people up," she says with a laugh.
   Indeed, the role requires its share of punches, kicks,
swordplay and all manner of martial arts, which Lawless has
mastered. Xena may have discovered her benevolent side, but
sometimes, it still takes a karate chop to the ribs to subdue an
opponent. That bronze corset can make even the most peace-loving
warrior a little cranky.
   There are few characters like Xena on screen, Lawless says.
Too many female roles are "shallow" and "not challenging for the
actress." 
   She likes Xena's strength and the fact that she has never been
rescued by men. She can hold her own against all torch-bearing,
sword-wielding comers, then woo the gods like Aphrodite.
   Although the stars of most series would be eager to turn
small-screen success into a shot at the big screen, Lawless is
hampered by filming her hit show half a world away from
Hollywood.
   But for now, Lawless is content to stay in her hometown and
spend time with her daughter. From her perspective, Hollywood
isn't worlds away. It's just down the road past the sheep
ranches.
   She throws her arms wide.
   "I am in Hollywood. Hollywood came to me."
   GRAPHIC: Lucy Lawless" The martial-arts expert easily holds
her own as Xena.


[213b] 03-29-96
   THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL (Memphis). Page 2C. 535 words. "When
Lawless laces up as Xena, no man need come to her rescue" By
Barbara Yost
   COMMENTARY: Edited down version of XMR213a.

[213c] 04-07-96
   AUSTIN AMERICAN-STATESMAN. Page A6. 642 words. "'Xena' doesn't
back down" By Barbara Yost.
   COMMENTARY: edited version of XMR213a.

[213d] 04-15-96
   CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Tempo. Page 5. 721 words. "Actress Easily
Conquers Role in 'Xena: Warrior Princess'" By Barbara Yost  
   COMMENTARY: Edited version of XMR213a.


[214] 03-28-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page C6. 303 words. "Kiwis Put the
Accent on West Coast Ways" 
   COMMENTARY:  Warren Carl was (and is still currently) the
American-dialect coach for XWP and HTLJ. This article showcased
his special contributions to the shows.
   REPRINT:
   It's a scene from ancient Greece: They're wearing togas,
they're brandishing swords. But they talk as if they were raised
in Southern California. 
   That is, until the director yells, "Cut!" Then the
toga-wearing people lose the Santa Monica flavor and revert to
their native tongue -- the lilting tones of New Zealand.  
   A desk is a "deesk." A bed is a "beed."
   It's Warren Carl's job to make sure none of that Kiwi accent
slips onto the sound stage. He is the American-dialect coach for
two syndicated series filmed on location around Auckland, New
Zealand -- Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior
Princess.
   Both series air only in the United States, and producers want
them to sound familiar to American audiences. Carl's advice to
his cast: Watch Baywatch. Talk like the lifeguards.
   Not all actors can do it.
   "It's like a musical ear," Carl says. "You either hear the
notes or you don't."
   Carl, a San Diego native who sings with an Auckland opera
company, got his job because he hears the notes. He can slip into
foreign accents like other actors slip into costumes.
   "What helps as a dialogue coach is being trained as a
musician," he says. "You're trained to listen."
   He studied acting at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in
Los Angeles. 
   Although Carl does not participate in casting calls, locals
who try out for parts on Hercules and Xena must demonstrate a
proficiency for an American accent. Carl does attend the first
script reading, pointing out all the "r's" -- tough for
non-Americans.
   "Nothing gives them away quicker," he says.
   Those who need help with their accent are coached. Those who
don't perform up to expectations are threatened with having their
voices dubbed.
   Now and then, Carl gets a chance to act on Hercules or Xena. 
   His American accent?
   "Beautiful!"


[215] 03-29-96
   DAILY NEWS (New York). Sports Section. Page 82. 643 words. "On
the Mark" BY Mark Kriegel
   COMMENTARY: A stream-of-conscious article about sports. This
passing mention of XWP was a non-sequitor.
   EXCERPT:
   ...What women's basketball needs is somebody like Xena the
Warrior Princess....


[216] 03-31-96 through 04-15-96
   NOTE:  An article about TNT's rebroadcasting of "Brisco County
Jr". Bruce Campbell, the star, appeared as the Prince of Thieves
in both Hercules and XWP.  
   As a Bakersfield trivia aside, Cary Darling is the son of a
prominent Tax and Estate Planning attorney in Bakersfield,
California.  I have had the honor and pleasure of working with
the senior Mr. Darling as an opposing counsel in six separate
cases (and at our last meeting a fortnight ago, he assured me of
more to come!). Also, the senior Mr. Darling was a strong
advocate of women attorneys in Kern County from the 1940's on.
His law firm was one of the first, if not the first, to elevate
female attorneys to partner status in the 1960's; he almost
singlehandedly made the most exclusive Bakersfield professional
club co-ed in the 1970's; and he has given support above and
beyond the call of duty to the Kern County Women's Lawyer
Association, not to mention his mentoring and advocating which
has allowed for more than a handful of women to be appointed to
the local bench.


[216a] 03-31-96
   THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Page F11. 1097 words. "Remembering
how the West was fun; Appreciation: 'The Adventures of Brisco
County, Jr.' lasted only a single season on Fox, but its many
mock-Western pleasures can be savored on cable." by Cary Darling
   COMMENTARY: See XMR216 for commentary.
   REPRINT: 
   'The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.' When: 8 a.m. Saturdays.
Channel: TNT. 
   Network television often is accused of being as dull as
drywall and as brainless as a big bag of bricks.  True enough;
while there are many worthy shows, the dim mental wattage needed
to crank out or watch much of what passes for news and
entertainment isn't enough to light a broom closet, let alone
illuminate the world's dreariest, darkest corners.
   It's all the more frustrating because so many programs which
strove for more  from "Frank's Place" to "Buffalo Bill," "Max
Headroom" to "I'll Fly Away"  might as well have been broadcast
to the far side of the sun for the few viewers they were able to
attract.  
   Yet while those shows have garnered critical respect and a
cult following over the years, a more recent yet equally
deserving ratings-flop languishes in relative historical
obscurity.
   "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.," a show that barely
stumbled through the 1993-94 season on Fox, stood way out from
the rest of the broadcast pack.
   First, it was a Western  few of which have been riding the TV
range lately  but it was a witty, multiracial Western that
tempered its fisticuffs with fantasy, its innocence with irony,
and its romantic vision of the Old West with an abiding New World
faith in the future's infinite possibilities.
   But there is evidence that the 27 "Brisco" episodes may be
finding their audience, albeit a small one.  TNT is airing the
shows Saturday mornings, and there are two unofficial "Brisco"
home pages on the Internet.
   As with current syndicated ratings winners "Hercules" and
"Xena," much of the show's appeal lies in its hip humor, which is
more San Fernando Valley than "Big Valley" and closer to Sam
Raimi and Quentin Tarantino than John Ford and Howard Hawks.
   Overseen by executive producers Carlton Cuse and Jeffrey Boam
(the latter being the screenwriter for "Lethal Weapon 2" and
"3"), the show follows the late 19th-century adventures of
Harvard-educated hero and jut-jawed bounty hunter Brisco County
Jr. 
   Played with dashing aplomb by Bruce Campbell of Raimi's "Evil
Dead" and "Army of Darkness" movies, Brisco is on a quest across
the West to avenge the death of his father at the hands of the
evil John Bly (played with slithery perfection by Billy Drago),
who just happens to be from the year 2506 and is on a quest of
his own for a mysterious orb.  Don't ask.
   Along the way, County falls in and out of love  mostly with
sassy saloon singer Dixie Cousins (Kelly Rutherford)  teams up
with a fellow bounty hunter, Lord Bowler (Julius Carry of "Murphy
Brown"), deals with bad guys such as the Swill Brothers, gets the
help of a goodhearted fuss-budget lawyer (Christian Clemenson),
and glimpses the future through the eyes of a whimsically mad
scientist (John Astin).
   But the plot points are unimportant.  What matters is the
overarching feel of reckless fun.  There's Randy Edelman's
booming theme song (part "Magnificent Seven," part Aaron Copland
and as grand and wide as Big Sky Country), the interplay between
the actors, and the tongues so far in cheek that they might be
swallowed: Bumbling bounty nemesis Pete (John Pyper-Ferguson) has
persuaded an artist (played by co-creator Cuse) to paint a huge
rock like a landscape to fool an oncoming stagecoach.  "When the
stage hits the rock, it stops," Pete enthuses.  "Then we pull out
our guns and open fire! "
   "Pete, I just paint rocks," snaps the artist.  "I don't do
performance art. "
   Mute bad-boy gunslinger Utah Johnny Montana (Vincent Klyn) has
an assistant introduce him to onlookers: "It used to be Utah John
Cougar Montana but he dropped the 'Cougar' because he thought it
was too pretentious. "
   Pete holds up a stage carrying Brisco.  "Pete, what are you
doing out here? " asks a frustrated Brisco.  Responds Pete, "I'm
exercising my constitutional right to make the best possible
living in a free-market economy. "
   Harvard botanist Dr. Milo (Timothy Leary; yes, that Timothy
Leary) is asked to give the eulogy at the impromptu funeral of a
fellow stagecoach passenger and ends up reciting a crazy-quilt of
Beatles lyrics: "When I find myself in times of trouble, I said,
'Boy, you gotta carry that weight. ' I am he, you are, you are
me.  We're all together, speaking words of wisdom.  Come
together, right now.  Amen. " Dr. Milo wakes up after being
slugged on the head and says, "Don't let anyone tell you that a
bludgeon-induced catatonia is preferable to an herbal one. "
   While the humor may be more 1990s than 1890s, its underlying
depiction of the West may have been closer to reality than more
serious Westerns.  While Carry's Lord Bowler, who's black, falls
into the stereotypical role of the sidekick to the white hero who
gets the girls, this is a West filled with blacks  and it's never
remarked upon.
   This may hew more to the truth than many might think. 
According to William Loren Katz's 1971 book, "The Black West," a
large number of black cowboys populated the West (the first man
shot in notorious Dodge was a black cowboy named Tex) and that
they "found less discrimination out on the trail than in town,
more equality back on the ranch than in the frontier communities. 
  Oddly enough, clashes between the black and white cowboys
themselves were rare. "
   Though no one in the show ever plays the race card, the issue
surfaces humorously.  When Brisco is injured, Bowler hovers over
him, not knowing what to do.  "Do something, Brisco! " Bowler
roars. 
   "Didn't you study medicine at Howard? "
   "Harvard," Brisco deadpans.
   "Whatever. "
   Yet "Brisco County" would be only so much glib ironic hipness
if it weren't for the element of fantasy.  Unlike many cowboys,
who are portrayed as fearing the future and the closing of the
West, Brisco can't wait for what's around the corner.  He dubs
every new invention "the coming thing" and speculates on what the
world might be like in generations to come.
   Sure, the fantasy elements  especially involving the orb  veer
out of control at times.  This probably contributed to viewer
confusion and sinking ratings during the original run.  But it's
this risk-taking blend of sci-fi and sagebrush that, like "The
Wild Wild West" 30 years ago, makes "The Adventures of Brisco
County, Jr." such a unique, breezy pleasure and makes Brisco
himself such a wonderfully winsome hero.  The West is just a
little bit sadder without him.
   Cary Darling is an entertainment editor at The Orange County
Register.
   GRAPHIC: 'THE ADVENTURES OF BRISCO COUNTY, JR.'; The Western
imbued with sly 1990s references starred, from rear left,
Christian Clemenson, Julius Carry, John Astin, Bruce Campbell,
Comet and, front, Kelly Rutherford.


[216b] 04-15-96
   THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC. Page C5. 530 words. "Campy SCI-FI
Western Gets 2nd Wind on Cable" By Cary Darling.
   COMMENTARY: Edited reprint of XMR216a.


[217] 04-01-96
   THE PROGRESSIVE. April, 1996. Vol. 60. No. 4. Page 41. 829
words. "Baywatch. Satire: 1996 primary election campaign;
Unplugged" By Kate Clinton
   COMMENTARY:  Bemoaning the inherent boredom of this election
year amongst the presidential hopefuls, Ms. Clinton fantasized
about Xena when Lamar Alexander mentioned his "contests of
vision".
   EXCERPT:
   ...What was I saying?
   I think the linguistic flourishes of the Republican
Presidential candidates, the unopposed Democratic incumbent, and
a host of pundits are an indication of brain drain. A national
attention-deficit disorder. Someone has slipped some chlorine
into the nation's think tanks. It's like being present at the
death of language....
   ...Lamar Alexander, who spent his tenure as Secretary of
Education trying to get rid of that department, has exhibited no
noticeable linguistic flair thus far. He seems to favor the very
large, vague concepts of "responsibility" and "family" and, my
personal favorite, "contests of vision." I'm picturing
Renaissance Fairs and Xena, Warrior Princess. Up to this point he
has let his flannel do the talking for him....


[218] 04-01-96
   CURVE. Page 48. 521 words. "Xena: Warrior Princess and Dyke
Cult Hero" By Jenni Olson.
   COMMENTARY:  Calling Xena an "Amazon Robin hood" and taking
great exception to Xena's and Gabrielle's legendary friendship,
Ms. Olson gave a pleasant review of why women, especially gay
women, find XWP so darn attractive.
   Ms. Olson primarily used two fans to develop her article.  The
main conclusion was that Xena was so darn attractive because she
was a "manstomper" (from which independence and influence from
men flows...), and that Xena's "kind of hot."
   Of the internet resources cited, only the MCA web site is
still functioning.
   REPRINT:
   Cheap effects, wooden acting and cheesy sequences are the
first things you'll notice about MCA/Universal's syndicated hour-
long show, Xena: warrior Princess.  You'll then be amazed by the
great writing and brilliant performances of Lucy lawless as Xena
and Renee O'Connor as her wise-cracking sidekick, Gabrielle.
   This fantastic period action drama seems an unlikely candidate
for feminist, lesbo-friendly cult status, but take one look at
the chemistry between Xena and Gabrielle and you can't resist
cheering them on.
   A spinoff of the popular syndicated Hercules, this Golden Age
mix of mythology and martial arts tells a simple moral tale of
good against evil as Xena braves the bad guys and saves the
damsels in distress.  In her earlier appearances Xena was a
power-mad warrior bandit; now she has been transformed (by an act
of compassion) into an Amazon Robin Hood whose mission it is to
"help people free themselves from tyranny and injustice."
   Xena's superhero power and accoutrements include her trusty
chakram (a razor-sharp disc she hurls at opponents), and the
famous Xena Touch (a sort of adaptation of Spock's Vulcan
deathgrip).  Nearly six feet tall, the blue-eyed, brawny
manstomper is a continual pleasure to watch.
   One of Xena's San Francsico fans, Arwyn Moore, explains Xena's
popularity: "She's a chick with a sword.  That's it right there.
she goes around kicking guys in the balls. You can't get much
more righteous than that."  Indeed, the first episode this viewer
saw began with no less than five acts of violence against men -
provoked by the ogling of Xena and Gabrielle.
   Although there have been male love interests for Xena, and she
does seem to  have a hetero past, her devotion to Gabrielle is
effusive and undeniable.
   Moore, who has been watching the show since the first episode
(and was a fan of Lawless on Hercules) thinks that Xena's
intelligence and genuine independence from men is what sets the
series apart.  "She has no male influence or help at all on her
show.  There's never some guy who comes in at the last minute. 
She does it all herself.  That's why she's so awesome."
   Moore's enthusiasm includes the recruitment of new viewers,
and, although she hasn't started a fan club, she hopes someone
will.  "Xena rocks.  She's not just some busty babe in armor. 
She rocks."
   Digital Queers board member Elizabeth McLachlan is another new
Xena fan.  "She's six feet tall, she kicks ass on all these men. 
She's kind of hot, actually."
  Yes, there are Xena action figures (although they are hard to
find) and other memorabilia.  There's an online Xena mailing list
(ask for the Xena mailing list at xena-request@ugcs.caltech.edu).
   One Xena script is available at a temporary Web site
(http://www.indirect.com/www.rcarter/xenatemp).  Xena even has
her own web site (http://www.mca.com/xena) where you can read
about  the show and chat with other fans.
   Lucy lawless's web site bio tells us that the native New
Zealander was once a gold miner and was once married.  Sidekick
O'Connor is single.  Both live part time in los Angeles and in
New Zealand. Hmm.
   GRAPHIC: No text. Photo of Xena and Gabrielle.


[219] 04-01-96 (date unknown)
   GLOBE. Page ?. 427 words. "Princess Xena Dumped Hubby For Show
Exec - Pals Reveal"
   COMMENTARY:  What does Ms. Lawless have to look forward to
when XWP becomes more popular???? Unfortunately, she will have
more of what this article has to offer. The Globe is a tabloid in
the purest sense of the genre. It is printed on cheap stock,
published weekly, and uses sources such as the unnamed "close
sources" and "pals".  Not to be too critical, the article did
quote from the ex-significant other of Robert Tapert, Jane Goe.  
   The only new information the article offered was that Lucy
Lawless was a former Ms. New Zealand pageant winner.  However, I
have not found this information anywhere else. If it were true, I
would have expected it to be part of the regular press kits that
the reporters received in their research. 
   The article was written in tabloid-ese, meaning short
paragraphs consisting of sound-bites with lots of hyphenated
words and asides. You can tell that the writer was almost out-of-
breathe from the excitement of distributing the gossip.  Reading
between the lines, one can tell that the story was basically that
after Ms. Lawless' marriage failed, and Mr. Tapert's previous
relationship failed, they decided to start dating; and as a
consequence, the lady whom Mr. Tapert lived with for 12 years was
bitter. A very common story which I am sure many of us has seen
or experienced themselves. A measure of fame, however, elevated
these personal moments to tabloid copy.
   REPRINT:
   Brawny beauty Xena the Warrior Princess has dropped her real-
life husband and run off with her show's producer, sources say.
   Lucy Lawless - who plays Xena, the sword-wielding siren built
like a Greek temple - dumped Garth, her husband of eight years,
after producer Robert Tapert made her a star, insiders reveal.
   Just two years ago, Lucy pledged, "If my acting career stopped
tomorrow, I'd be all right because I have Garth, my daughter
Daisy and a wonderful family."
   But then the 30-something producer hand-picked the just-under
6-foot-tall Lucy to start as the mythic warrior Xena -- Hercules'
sexy archenemy-turned-girlfriend -- who was then spun off into
her own hit show.
   Soon after, Tapert broke free of his bonds to common law wife
Jane Goe, a screenwriter, to be with the 27-year-old muscle-bound
mom-of-one, say sources.
   "It was very rough on Garth," reveals a close friend. "He
stuck with Lucy through the lean years when she was studying as
an opera singer and actress.
   "They met as teenagers in Auckland, New Zealand, and got
married in the Australian outback when Lucy was 20.  She had her
daughter Daisy nine months later."
   But all that changed faster than one of Zeus' lightning bolts
when Tapert tapped the former Ms. New Zealand pageant winner over
five other athletic actresses to don Xena's lusty leather bodice
and start bashing bad guys -- for $25,000 a week.
   Tapert recently spent three weeks on location in Auckland
finalizing details for the new season of Hercules' and Xena's
shows, which begin filming in the spring.
   Insiders say he spent the whole trip at Lucy's cozy $400,000
home.
   "I guess Garth just isn't part of the world she moves in
anymore, but Rob definitely is," says the pal.
   The cooing couple may feel like they're on top of Mt. Olympus
now, but neither will feel immortal if they run into the scorned
common law wife Tapert left behind.
   "Robert and I were very happy until Lucy Lawless disrupted our
life together," says Jane.
   "He was the most loving, caring man, the only man in my life
and the best man in the world.
   "I can hardly stand thinking about what's happened. It hurts
too much for me to bear."
   A source close to the show confirms that "Lucy and Rob Tapert
are seeing each other and are very happy.
   "Rob recently ended a 12-year relationship with a longtime
companion, but that was before he started seeing Lucy...who is
amicably separated from her husband."   
   GRAPHICS: Lucy Lawless left Garth, her hubby of eight years,
in favor of producer Robert Tapert; [inset of Xena with chakram]


[220] 04-02-96
   THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER. 282 words. "O'seas funding for Kiwi
film, TV rises 40% in '95 Foreign boom overcomes local decline"
By Phil Wakefield 
   COMMENTARY: I know you are all losing sleep at night wondering
how all this American production is affecting the New Zealand
economy.  Here it is!
   REPRINT:
   Funding of New Zealand film and television production jumped
16% last year to NZ$175 million ($119 million), of which a record
40% was derived from offshore sources, according to a new survey
on the industry's foreign exchange earnings.  Local funding
actually dropped slightly during the year to NZ$106 million ($72
million).   According to the survey, which was undertaken by the
industry's export group, Project Blue Sky, total turnover rose
11% to NZ$633 million ($430 million). The industry's foreign
exchange earnings doubled to NZ$86 million ($58 million),
slightly lower than originally reported (HR 2/27) due to a
computer revision. The report notes that foreign exchange
earnings will rise further this financial year due to a slate of
productions shooting in the country, including Universal's ''The
Frighteners'' and TV series such as ''Hercules: The Legendary
Journeys,'' ''Xena: Warrior Princess,'' ''Enid Blyton Adventure
Series'' and ''Riding High.'' ''The message I draw from this is
that overseas production companies, networks and distributors
have faith in the ability of the New Zealand film and television
industry to deliver quality product,'' said Project Blue Sky
executive director Jo Tyndall. ''But we believe that overseas
confidence in our industry deserves to be matched at home.''


-------------
THE BACK PAGE
-------------

Issue #17 will begin with annotations #221, dated 04-04-96. It is
scheduled to be released in late August 1996.

PREFERRED CITATION:  When citing an annotated review, use the
format: XMR:007.  This example means Xena Media Review [issue
#01], annotation #007.

DISCLAIMER: XMR (Xena Media Review) is a free non-profit
informational release.  XMR in no way intends to challenge,
disregard or profit from any of the original copyright holders of
the material excerpted, reprinted, or referred to (including but
not limited to MCA, Universal, Renaissance 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. Only
national/international major media released in electronic form
are considered for inclusion. Banner graphic by Colleen Stephan.
This is an All Talk No Action Publication. Copyright 1996 by Kym
Masera Taborn.

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