THIS WEEK IN XENA NEWS.... TWXN 31 10/03/96 Brought to you by Xena: Media Review (XMR): http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS/IAXS.html 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. Excerpts from the following cites will appear in future issues of XMR. Randomly generated thoughts: I threw in the 20/20 comments because it will be appearing in XMR #18 (yes! I know 11/06/95 is not THIS WEEK). The rest is kinda sorta recent (yes! I know 09/06/96 isn't, but give me a break -- 10/01 and 10/02 is recent). Also, we have a new home for TWXN. Tom's Xena Page has adopted them. Whenever I get time to code them, then the site will open. Thanks to all others who offered space. It is appreciated, but Tom got his offer in first! Now the annotations: [073.5] 11-06-95 20/20. New Zealand TV show. COMMENTARY: This extended interview/documentary on the production of HTLJ and XWP was produced as promotion of the release of the Hercules 1994 Action Pack movies on video in New Zealand. The emphasis was on Kiwi matters and interviews were primarily with production crew members. In the portion about XWP, Xena was described as "one h*** of a scary woman." The interviewer also mentioned that Ms. Lawless had the "biggest break a New Zealand actor has ever had into American TV." Ms. Lawless quotes were: "I don't think that there has been a better role for a woman in decades in a series -- in a syndicated series -- certainly in America. She's got the devil on her shoulder. That's why you watch her because you don't know which way she'll jump, necessarily." "Success is just the reward of keeping up your own identity and trying to be consistent." "I will go wherever the work is. You want to work on the best projects with the best possible people." The other people interviewed were: Eric Grundemann, HTLJ producer, discussed the several reasons why New Zealand was chosen as the shooting locale; how shooting in New Zealand had affected the show; and his personal pride in showing that an American show produced in New Zealand could be a critical and financial success. Michael Hurst, HTLJ "Iolaus", discussed his willingness to do stuntwork and his action figure. Kevin Sorbo, HTLJ "Hercules", discussed his new found fame; his action figure; and his respect and admiration for the crew. Johnny Duncan, XWP director of photography, discussed how he filmed Lucy Lawless and centaurs; how the shows would be different if they had been filmed in America instead of New Zealand; and his appreciation of the New Zealander crews. Diane Rowan, HTLJ & XWP casting director, discussed how the shows had stimulated the employment of actors in New Zealand; how both shows recycled actors; and how she used her casting couch to the advantage of the shows. Rob Gillies, HTLJ & XWP Set Designer, discussed the challenge of making the sets and props for the episodes; and where he derived his inspiration. Nila Dickson, HTLJ & XWP costume designer, discussed her creative work with Rob Gillies; and how she designed bras. David Bell, HTLJ & XWP Stunt Coordinator, discussed the types of stunts used; how costumes were designed with stuntwork in mind; and what a successful stunt looked like. Charlie Haskal, an HTLJ director, discussed the differences between regular New Zealand dramas and HTLJ. [ ] 09-06-96 THE PALM BEACH POST. Friday. Page 1F. 765 words. By Paul Lomartire COMMENTARY: Article about the stress involved when local tv stations add, subtract and confuse viewers with scheduling changes. The article mentioned XWP's switch from local station WFLX-29 (Fox) to WTVX-34 (UPN). [ ] 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), 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 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." XWP was referred to as a "quality television show"/ [ ] 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: Because of previous deals between Sam Raimi (producer, XWP) and John McNamara (producer, Profit), have arranged a production project between Warner Brothers Studios and Universal which will create an ABC action series called "Cloak and Dagger". "Cloak and Dagger" was described as a "high-tech action show reminiscent of the old spy series 'The Avengers'". XWP was mentioned in passing as a project of Sam Raimi's. [ ] 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: More details on the "Cloak and Dagger" production partnership. Again, XWP was mentioned in passing in reference to Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert.