_____ ______ ._ `\`/>`\ /`/` /`__________,.'>___ _____ )~\ /<`\ `\ /`/` /``\ \./------> /|\./\ |\./| / | \ /< `\`\ `\ /`/` /` | | |----\ / | |\ \ | | |././^\ \ |\__{o}\--`\`\ `\/`/` /`-----| | |-----`------\`\`\--| | |----^ \ \----. [\\\\\\\{*}==`> <`=======| | ==============`\`\`\| | |=====\ \ \==--> |/~~{o}/-- /`/ /\ \ `\------| | |---------------`\`\\ | |------\ \ \--' \< /`/` /` `\`\ `\ | | |_____,.'>| | | `\`\| | /' \ \ \ \< /` /` `\`\ `\ ,/ /^\------> / |/^\| \ | |/ \/^\\. /`/\>/` `\`\ `\`~~~~~~~~~~~\ / ~~~~~ )^\,\, '~~~~~ `~~~~~` '~~~~~` ` ~~~~~~ ========================== XENA: THE MEDIA REVIEW #01 ========================== http://www.teleport.com/~gater/IAXS.html P.O. Box 81181, Bakersfield, CA 93308 RIF BBS (805) 588-9349 (24hrs. free 14.4) 60 subscribers. This document has 526 lines. Xena Media Review (XMR) is a periodic annotated world press review of reports regarding the internationally syndicated television program Xena: Warrior Princess (XWP) (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. 01 Release date: 03-29-96 2nd edition: 06-04-96 3rd edition: 06-22-96 4th edition: 07-10-96 Covering 04/01/91- 04/21/95 Annotations 001-007d The "Pre-Xena" Years ------------ Introduction ------------ This edition (the first!) of Xena Media Review covers media coverage of Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor from April 1, 1991 to April 21, 1995. It is call the "Pre-Xena Years" because the last article was published just before the news of Xena: Warrior Princess (XWP) was released in the major press (March 5, 1995). The lion's share of coverage was for Renee O'Connor (this will happen again in XMR #03) and consisted of reviews of productions of which she was a cast member. The sole Lucy Lawless annotation was a Variety review for "Hercules & the Amazon Women" which was more fond of Michael Hurst (Iolaus) than anyone else in the cast. Ms. Lawless was uncommented upon; she was only listed as a cast member. "Hercules and the Amazon Women was released April 25, 1994, while "Hercules and the Lost Kingdom" was released May 2, 1994. "Amazon Women" had Ms. Lawless in the cast, and "Lost Kingdom" had Ms. O'Connor. Both movies were part of the syndicated Universal Action Pack (UAP), which began airing in January 1994. It featured 2 hour tv movies revolving among Tekwar (based upon William Shatner's book series, 4 movies), Bandit (based upon the movie Smokey and the Bandit, 4 movies), Midnight Run (based upon movie of same name, 4 movies), Knightrider 2010 (based upon the TV show Knightrider (1 movie), Vanishing Son (based upon movie of same name, 4 movies), and Xena's forebear, Hercules (original material, 5 movies). As you can tell, real top-notch stuff. Hercules did not debut until the release of "Amazon Women", then followed the next week with "Lost Kingdom". Hercules was not heard from again until October 17, 1994, when "Amazon Women" was repeated, yet again followed by "Lost Kingdom". After that, three new Hercules movies followed suit with "The Circle of Fire", "The Underworld", and "Maze of the Minotaur". MCA knew it had a potential hot property. It clearly was determined by those first two movies: movies in which appeared Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor. Is this mere coincidence? Can we detect a pattern? The timeline dictates that the decision had to have been made then. Else how could Renaissance Pictures have created three new movies which showed from October 31, 1994 to November 14, 1994, then to be followed a mere two months later with the first released episode of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" (January 16, 1995)? Either they were shooting these episodes out a back of a car the week before release (highly unlikely no matter how much some would wish this to be true) or there was a calculated move to produce Hercules as a series almost immediately after the first two movies were released. It's all in the timing. Next issue I will discuss the timing of the first announcement of XWP. It is most interesting that is was mentioned in passing in the Daily Variety as an afterthought from an MCA source (March 5, 1995) BEFORE the release of "The Warrior Princess" (March 13, 1995), the first appearance of Xena, the Warrior Princess. It appears that the producers intended from the very start that Xena would have her own show. That "The Warrior Princess" was part of "the plan" (of world domination? to make an honest buck? to introduce the first modern action heroine to television? to make any kind of buck? to hedge their bets? to make the sets of Hercules go a bit further? to make an obscene amount of bucks? We shall see....). The record suggests that the decision to make Hercules a weekly show was determined sometime between May 1994 and September 1994. (Ah, the conjecture as to the effects of having Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor as co-stars, and then popping up with their own show a little over a year later should be fodder for much discussion...just think of the coincidence!) However, the same record does not allow adequate time for Xena to be nothing but conceived from the start as a tv show. Ponder that! Now to more mundane matters... In my quest for Xena references, I have found a whole slew of references to "Xena" but not to "our" Xena. I will be periodically issuing special issues of XMR which will show non- Xena Xena references (only a Xenite would understand). In this issue I wanted to do an "Editor Rant" on the May issue of "Sci-Fi Universe." Readers of "Resistance is Futile Netzine", another ezine that I publish, are already familiar with my love/ hate relationship with Chris Gore & Mark Altman. Well, the boys have done it again! However, I have no space for my "rant". I hope to relieve myself in the next issue of....Xena: The Media Review. Finally, I should like to thank all the charter subscribers for their support of this project. Sure it's anal retentive, but that's what the internet is for. I wanted to make a sister publication for "Resistance is Futile" and was going back and forth as to what to use as my topic (Mystery Science Theatre, Star Trek Comics, Star Trek novels, Space Ghost, Brisco County Junior, Murder One, Murder One?, oh a grand plethora), but when I came into possession of many Xena news stories, I thought: media ....media review...XENA! Now you may begin to read the fruits of my latest obsession. ---Editor ----------- ANNOTATIONS ----------- [001] 04-01-91 THE NEW YORK TIMES. Page C16. 836 Words. "Reviews/television; Uplifting Hearts, Minds and Ratings". By John J. O'connor COMMENTARY: This is it! Renee O'Connor's earliest copy in a major media outlet! It is a review of "Danielle Steel's Changes" with just so happened to have a young Renee O'Connor in the cast. There are no direct references to Ms. O'Connor, merely a cast listing. KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, review, Danielle Steele's Changes EXCERPTS: ... Melanie Adams (Ms. Ladd) lives in New York as a top television news correspondent and single mother of two teen-age daughters. [Renee O'Connor played one of the daughters] Peter Hallam (Mr. Nouri) lives in Los Angeles as a world-famous heart surgeon and the widowed father of two sons and a daughter. Covering a story in Los Angeles, Melanie meets and eventually marries Peter, even though she has to give up her blossoming career in New York... ...Will Melanie be able to adjust to life in a sumptuous house filled with pictures of Peter's dead wife? Will she be able to control the nasty housekeeper who constantly thwarts her? Will she cope with the children, an overpampered gaggle of whiners? [Once again, Ms. O'Connor's character]. The details are delicious (anyone for wine? "Bring the '67 Montrachet," Peter says)... ...Danielle Steel's 'Changes' Directed by Charles Jarrott; written by Susan Nanus, based on a book by Danielle Steel; director of photography, Chuck Arnold; editor, Michael McClean; music by Lee Holdridge; production designer, Jan Scott; produced by the Cramer Company in association with NBC Productions; Hugh Benson, producer. At 9 tonight on NBC. Melanie Adams . . . Cheryl Ladd Peter Hallam . . . Michael Nouri Valerie Adams . . . Christie Clark Jessica Adams . . . Renee O'Connor Mark Hallam . . . Christopher Gartin Pam Hallam . . . Ami Foster Matthew Hallam . . . Joseph Gordon-Levitt [002] 03-23-93 DAILY VARIETY. Reviews. 481 Words. "CBS Tuesday Movie Sworn to Vengeance (Tues. (23), 9-11 P.m., CBS)". By Todd Everett COMMENTARY: Almost two years later, Renee O'Connor gets another major media mention. This time in a review of "Sworn to Vengeance" and in Daily Variety. Again, no direct references to Ms. O'Connor, just named in the cast listing. KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, review, Sworn To Vengeance EXCERPTS: Filmed in Reno by A. Shane Co. in association with RHI Entertainment... ...Cast: Robert Conrad, Billy McNamara, Gary Bayer, Sharon Farrell, Peter Breck, Tom Atkins, Michael Cavanaugh, Kurt McKinney, James McEachin, Meg Wittner, Dori Brenner, Ramon Franco, Clifton Gonzalez Gonzalez, Paul Scherrer, La Velda Fann, Monica Creel, Katherine Armstrong, Cristan Crocker, Arlene Taylor, Dennis Bailey, Tom Reilly, Jeb Adams, Michael Denney, Tim Erwin, Peter H. Hunt, Tiffany Helm, Randy Josselyn, Sue Kolinsky, Mills Lane, Barry Lynch, Renee O'Connor, Paulette Porter, Charles Porter. Robert Conrad returns to TV as Jack Stewart, law officer who doggedly pursues a case given up by his superiors. Purportedly fact-based script doesn't always make a lot of sense, but serves as a nice showcase for its star. Three teenagers have been murdered, and local constabulary are chasing clues in all directions. Only Sgt. Stewart pays any attention to a woman (Sharon Farrell) who claims to have witnessed murder in a vision -- through she denies being a psychic. ...The three young victims are played by Paul Scherrer, Monica Creel and Arlene Taylor [whew! not Renee].... ...Pic is somewhat slow-paced, with grisly murder saved for a flashback at show's end... [003] 05-04-94 DAILY VARIETY. Reviews. 576 Words. "Hercules and the Amazon Women (Wed. (4), 8-10 P.m., Synd.)" By Adam Sandler COMMENTARY: Review of Hercules & the Amazon Women. Lucy Lawless appeared in this TV movie. Reviewer found it facile. Review only mentions Ms. Lawless specifically as a cast member; but they loved Michael Hurst. KEYWORDS: Lucy Lawless, review, Hercules and the Amazon Women EXCERPTS: Filmed in New Zealand by Renaissance Pictures. Executive producers, Sam Raimi, Robert Tapert, Christian Williams. Producers, Eric Gruendemann, David Eick. Director, Bill L. Norton; writers, Jule Selbo, Andrew Dettmann, Daniel Truly; camera, James Bartle...music, Joseph Lo Duca. Cast: Kevin Sorbo, Anthony Quinn, Roma Downey, Michael Hurst, Lloyd Cott, Lucy Lawless, Christopher Brougham, Time Lee, Kim Michaels, Maggie Tarver, John Steemson, Helen Steemson, Rose McIver, Nick Kemplen, Heidi Anderson, Jill Sayre, Murray Keane, Andrew Thurtell, Mick Rose, David Taylor, Nina Sosanya, Vicky Burrett, Margaret-Mary Hollins, Kristin Darragh, Tamara Waugh, Fiona Mogridge, Jacques Dupeyroux, Peter Malloch, Daniel James, Jeff Boyd... ...It's hard to envision what the producers of this latest take on the mythical Hercules had in mind when they created this two-hour telefilm, as program fails to score on any level, especially with the casting of a beef-cakey heartthrob as its lead. Any viewers left by show's end probably will be scratching their heads trying to figure out how this uninteresting and unsatisfying trip back in time made it to the small screen. When Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) is called upon to save a local village from attacking "beasts," he discovers that the malefactors are women who visit the hamlet for brief conjugal visits with the men. The women -- apparently motivated by their disdain for men and reeling from a history of subservient treatment -- prefer to live commune-style with each other, occasionally returning to the village for purely procreative purposes. Female babies are kept, males are set adrift in the river to be retrieved by the men. Hercules serves as a Dr. Ruth in chamois briefs, telling the men how they can recapture the flame with these Amazon femmes, so they can live happily ever after. Rather than the two species fighting to the death when the once-a-year mood hits, he insists they could live in harmony. Sorbo, a competent but uncharismatic commercials actor, lacks the skills to make this either a farcical romp or a serious delve. His contemporary looks and manners -- one almost expects his conversation to be punctuated with an occasional "Dude!"-- undermine his credibility... Telepic's failure is especially acute considering that it comes from producers Sam Raimi and Robert Tapert, the pair behind the biting "Darkman" and its sequel; they have lengthy and substantive credits of creating interesting characters. The show is visually stunning, with plenty of raging waterfalls and lush tropical setting, with the actors mere set dressing. Scriptors...give the actors dialogue more likely to be spoofed by comedy improv groups than taken seriously. Relationship advice proferred by the suntanned Hercules is ridiculous and would be more fitting coming from his friend Iolaus (Michael Hurst), program's sole diamond in the rough. Hurst's infectious personality and sidekick demeanor aids in keeping this sinking quasi-melodrama afloat. While program is designed to be the first of five two-hour adventures, subsequent episodes will have to be more interesting than this to garner auds. Director Bill L. Norton probably brought a lot to the party, but only the aerial shots and special effects show on screen. [004] 05-05-94 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Everyday Magazine. Page 4G. 624 Words. "Dick Richmond Books on Tape Column" By Dick Richmond COMMENTARY: Picture of Ms. O'Connor in Hercules TV movie "Hercules and the Lost Kingdom". No text, just picture. KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, review, Hercules and the lost Kingdom EXCERPT: ...GRAPHIC: Photo of Kevin Sorbo Hercules (Kevin Sorbo) saves a princess (Renee O'Connor) and the city of Troy from a monk and his cult in" Hercules and the Lost Kingdom." 7 p.m. Channel 11 [005] 05-08-94 THE TORONTO STAR. Page E2. 672 Words. "To-dye-for Movie Roles and Klingons Unglued". By Rita Zekas COMMENTARY: A mention of Renee O'Connor in regards to her role in the movie "Darkman: Durant Returns". A very light section which mentions that Renee was in the hairdresser's chair for five hours for her character. There was a picture of Renee included in the article. In XMR024a-e, the reviews and announcements of the videotape release are annotated (July 1995). KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, Darkman: Durant Returns EXCERPTS: IT'S NOT EASY being a born blonde. Or a born-again blond for that matter. Just ask Sten Eirik, who plays Whitey the thug in the movie Darkman: Durant Returns, which filmed here recently. Eirik was pretty white as it was, with fair strawberry blond hair. But he wasn't Whitey enough. So he put his head in the hands of the film's stylist Susan Exton-Stranks, who dispatched him to a Yorkville salon to bleach out his hair to within an inch of his scalp. It put up a good fight - 3 1/2 hours of bleaching. The result, the lightest hair this side of Brigitte Nielsen. That hairdresser chair certainly got a workout. Renee O'Connor, who plays Laurie, an ex-stripper in the movie, had an even more extended time in the hot seat - five hours. She was given hair extensions; her hair was braided and false hair sewn in. O'Connor had to be tarted up, she was too girl-next-door. "Most strippers have hair extensions," Exton-Stranks explained, "because the longer their hair, the more money they make." ... GRAPHIC: Photos: GWYNYTH WALSH au naturelle and as evil Klingon babe in Star Trek TRESSED-OUT: Sten Eirik puts the bite on Darkman: Durant Returns co-star Renee O'Connor's locks. [006] 12-19-94 to 12-31-94 NOTE: The next four annotations ran the same or substantially the same information about the TV movie "Rockford Files: Little Ezekial" (RF:LE) which was in production at the time. The movie was eventually released in May 1995 under the name "Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise" (RF:BID). RF:BID engendered 17 reviews which currently make up the most significant press coverage Renee O'Connor has had in her career aside from XWP. These 17 reviews are anotated in XMR019a-q. KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, Rockford Files: Little Ezekial, Rockford Files: A Blessing in Disguise [006a] 12-19-94 PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE. Page C8. 543 Words. "Bogart Acts Again -- with Digital Help". COMMENTARY: Single reference to Renee O'Connor's role. EXCERPT: ...MORE ''FILES'': Next up for James Garner -- ''The Rockford Files: Little Ezekial'' on CBS. (No airdate yet.) Last month's ''Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A.'' was the highest-rated TV movie this season. In ''Ezekial,'' Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a wildly successful televangelist. When his TV ministry launches a boycott against a new movie, ''Little Ezekial,'' Rockford is hired to protect its star (Renee O'Connor).... [006b] 12-20-94 CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Page 10. 429 Words. "'48 Hours' Move Raises Rather's Ire". COMMENTARY: Same information as in XMR006a above. EXCERPT: ...Next up for James Garner-"The Rockford Files: Little Ezekial" on CBS. (No airdate.) Last month's "Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A." was the highest-rated TV movie this season. In "Ezekial," Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a wildly successful televangelist. When his TV ministry launches a boycott against a new movie, "Little Ezekial," Rockford is hired to protect its star (Renee O'Connor).... [006c] 12-22-94 THE RECORD (the Bergen Record Corp). Page D11. 715 Words. "News and Notes". From News Service Reports. COMMENTARY: Same information as in XMR006a above. EXCERPT: ...ROCKFORD RETURNS Next up for James Garner is "The Rockford Files: Little Ezekial" on CBS. (Not yet scheduled.) Last month's "Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A." was the highest-rated TV movie this season. In "Ezekial," Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a wildly successful televangelist. When his TV ministry launches a boycott against a new movie, "Little Ezekial," Rockford is hired to protect its star (Renee O'Connor).... [006d] 12-31-94 CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Page 29. 379 Words. "HBO to Give 'Snaps' a 2-week Tryout in January". COMMENTARY: Same information as in XMR006a above. EXCERPT: ...- Next up for James Garner-"The Rockford Files: Little Ezekial" on CBS. (No airdate.) Last month's "Rockford Files: I Still Love L.A." was the highest-rated TV movie this season. In "Ezekial," Angel (Stuart Margolin) becomes a wildly successful televangelist. When his TV ministry launches a boycott against a new movie, "Little Ezekial," Rockford is hired to protect its star (Renee O'Connor).... [006e] 12-15-94 [originally annotated in XMR #04] PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER. Page E6. 906 words. "She's Afraid 'My So-called Life' Will Breathe its Last in January" by Gail Shister COMMENTARY: Another brief mention of Renee O'Connor. Exact reprint of XMR006a and XMR006d. [007] 04-20-95 to 04-21-95 NOTE: Annotation #007 consists of two reviews of the TV Movie "Follow the River": one bad and one good. Renee O'Connor was in the cast and played a minor role. Neither review comments upon her specifically. KEYWORDS: Renee O'Connor, review, Follow the River [007a] 04-20-95 CHICAGO TRIBUNE. Page 3. 655 Words. "Wild Ride; 'Follow the River' Is an Adventure Parents, Kids Can Enjoy Together". By Jennifer Mangan. COMMENTARY: Positive review of tv movie "Follow the River". Once again, Ms. O'Connor is mentioned as a cast member but nothing specifically about her performance. The Graphic for the movie does not include Renee O'Connor. EXCERPTS: ...With kids' schedules as jampacked as they are nowadays, families are hard-pressed to spend quality time together. Some might dismiss watching television as a way to fill that time when it comes available, but the "ABC Family Movie" is one offering that aims to provide parent-friendly, quality entertainment every Saturday night. One example of ABC's effort to bring families together for a couple of hours is "Follow the River" (8 p.m. Saturday, WLS-Ch. 7). Based on the 1981 best seller by James Alexander Thom, this adaptation encompasses all the elements of a saga worthy of the three-star stamp. When you meet the movie's heroine, Mary Ingles (Sheryl Lee), she is cradling her large belly in anticipation of the birth of her second child. Ingles has a feeling that her unborn child is a girl-and she usually is right about her feelings. But on this spring day in 1755, the expectant mom is nagged by a sense of foreboding, a premonition that ultimately develops into real danger. The adventure unfolds when members of the Shawnee tribe, led by the powerful warrior Wildcat (Eric Schweig), raid Ingles' home while her husband, Will (Tim Guinee), is building fences on the other side of the mountain ridge. The Shawnees capture Mary, her 6-year-old son, Tommy (Tyler Noyes), her sister-in-law, Bettie (Renee O'Connor), and a neighbor (Andrew Stahl). It isn't until much later in the film that you learn the Shawnees take captives to replace members of their tribe who were killed when white men took their land. Mary is the true heroine in this story-she displays faith and courage that sometimes make her seem more superhero than human. On the long, arduous journey to the Shawnee camp where the captives either will die or become slaves, Mary gives birth to a girl. Ellen Burstyn plays Gretel, an older woman who was abducted from her home and brought to the Shawnee camp before Mary. She and Mary become friends who understand that in order to survive, they must never show fear... ...Wildcat finds Mary's strength appealing and spares her and the other captives. Wildcat fondly calls her Mother and Mary respectfully calls him Sir. Although Mary loves her husband, the viewer can sense the spark between Wildcat and Mary, but it is quickly extinguished when Mary turns down Wildcat's offer to go away with him. What follows is a test of courage. "Follow the River" has a little something for everyone. Certainly, the movie has historic value and is gushing with drama, but it also offers lots of adventure, a little romance and a happy ending... [007b] 04-21-95 DAILY VARIETY. Reviews. 214 Words. "The ABC Family Movie Follow the River (Sat. (22), 9-11 P.m., ABC)". By John McCarthy. COMMENTARY: Negative review of tv movie "Follow the River". Once again, Ms. O'Connor is mentioned as a cast member but nothing specifically about her performance; however it is implied that the character that she played was not given her due. EXCERPTS: This profile in courage stars Sheryl Lee as Mary Ingles, a brave frontier woman captured, along with her son and sister-in-law, by the Shawnee. An indication of her fortitude: she gives birth six days into the wilderness and gladly gets right up and continues trekking. Filmed in Sapphire, N.C., by Signboard Hill Prods. Executive producer, Richard Welsh; producer, Alvin Cooperman; co-producer, Brent Shields; director, Martin Davidson...based on the novel by James Alexander Thom...Steven C. Aaron; music, Ernest Troost. 120 MIN. Cast: Sheryl Lee, Ellen Burstyn, Eric Schweig, Tim Guinee, Renee O'Connor, Tyler Noyes, Andrew Stahl, Gabriel Macht, Tony Amendola, Sammy D. Miller, Graeme Malcolm, Juddson Keith Linn, Jimmie F. Skaggs. The producers of this telepic have delivered wholesome family entertainment in the form of an adventure story best described as "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" meets "The Last of the Mohicans." The leader of the raiding party, Wildcat (Eric Schweig), takes a fancy to her. Meanwhile, husband and brother give chase. Other white folk, notably a German woman named Gretel (Ellen Burstyn) and some French traders, are at the Shawnee village. When Lee's hearty Irish immigrant refuses Wildcat's marriage proposal, he takes her son to raise as a warrior and sells her to the French along with Gretel. The sister-in-law is never heard from again [the sister-in-law is apparently the role played by Renee O'Connor...oops]. Lee is brimming with matronly dignity, yet all the performances are brought down by terrible accents. She sounds like an Irish Spring commercial, and Burstyn is downright hammy with an equally thick accent. Director Martin Davidson rushes through the weak parts of the yarn, and there are quite a few. Jennifer Miller's script is plodding. The obligatory reuniting of the family undercuts the preceding adventure: Was the danger only make believe? Decent photography by Michael E. Gershman applies a patina of butterscotch to the North Carolina scenery. [007c] 04-22-95 THE DES MOINES REGISTER. Today. Page 4. 414 words. "A sociological look at the James boys" COMMENTARY: Another nominal mention of Ms. O'Connor regarding "Follow the River", an ABC TV movie of the week. EXCERPT: ..."Follow the River" (ABC at 8 p.m.) Adapted from James Alexander Thom's novel, this new drama casts Sheryl Lee ("Twin Peaks") as an 18th-century woman captured by Shawnee raiders. Wanting to protect her young son (Tyler Noyes) and keep herself from being enslaved or slain, she agrees to keep company with their leader (Eric Schweig), though she eventually escapes and struggles to return home. Several months' pregnant, she's joined in her grueling quest by a fellow captive (Ellen Burstyn). Filmed on location in North Carolina, the tale also features Renee O'Connor and Andrew Stahl as other prisoners who have to rely on Lee's courage to ensure their survival. ------------- THE BACK PAGE ------------- Issue #2 will contain annotations #08 through #17, dated from March 5, 1995 to May 10, 1995. It is scheduled to be released April 5, 1995. PREFERRED CITATION: When citing an annotated review, use the format: XMR 01:007. This example means Xena Media Review, issue #01, annotation #007. DISCLAIMER: XMR (Xena Media Review) is a free non-profit informational release. XMR in no way intends to challenge, disregard or profit from any of the original copyright holders of the material excerpted, reprinted, or referred to (including but not limited to MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures, the New York Times, Daily Variety, the St. Louis Dispatch, the Toronto Star, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, and the Chicago Tribune). This newsletter is an academic and educational pursuit to archive, annotate, and study the media response to Xena: Warrior Princess (a syndicated 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. Banner graphic by Colleen Stephan. Copyright 1996 by Kym Masera Taborn. 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 above copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies of the newsletter itself, and that proper credit and copyright notice 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 above non-profit-use clause.