XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28 (10/11/97) Borg 4 of 6 ================ CUT HERE ================== [469] 09-01-96 CHICAGO SUN-TIMES. Sunday. Page 3. 1284 words. "Mighty popular; Family background gave Lucy Lawless strength she needed for 'Xena'" COMMENTARY: A low key interview where Lucy Lawless reminisced about her past and future. She also discussed how CHARIOTS OF WAR was her worst experience in making the show. [KT] This interview is one of the better early articles on Lawless. It provides background on her family, includes comments on her work mining gold in Australia, and notes that she has cut back on her after-work exercise because of the physical demands of playing Xena. [DS] REPRINT: Lucy Lawless thinks her family background -- being the oldest girl in a family of seven children -- was the best training she could have had to become the star of "Xena: Warrior Princess." Yet Lawless does not believe she was only prepared to play that brave mythical character, now spun off into her own series thanks to the surprise success of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" action franchise. "I think coming from a large family is the best preparation for anyone wanting to become an actor," said Lawless, in Chicago recently to talk about her newfound fame in the syndicated show, now entering its second season. "You learn how to charm, wheedle and manipulate... plus you learn how to keep coming back from the knocks. That's so helpful when you become an actor and have to face rejection so often when you lose out in an audition. "It made me a fighter." And fighting is a big part of what Lawless' character is called upon to engage in "Xena." The character -- originally introduced in a three-part episode of "Hercules" -- lives in a mythical pre-ancient Grecian or Roman era, in lands populated with vicious tyrants, barbarous tribes and bizarre monsters. Originally, Xena was an enemy of Hercules, bent on destroying him in her quest for ultimate power. However, after she engaged in an act of compassion, her army betrayed her -- leading Xena to realize her obsessive drive to become a great warrior made her forget her own humanity. In the kind of plot switch only possible in such story lines, Xena became not only an ally of Hercules, but a love interest as well -- before heading off into her own series. Lawless, virtually unknown before a lucky chain reaction of events led to her casting as Xena ("including the original actress dropping out"), is delighted by the success of the show, but she is not surprised. "Audiences are attracted (to the show) because we take them on a fantastic voyage every week. . . . We take them out of the humdrum and try to give them a show that we (the cast and crew) would want to watch ourselves." She also thinks the way the show is filmed adds a great deal of spontaneity to the final product. Because of the demanding "Xena" schedule -- nine months of the year, with "only one week, sometimes two, off every six weeks, there is no time for rehearsals, except to block out some of the physical stuff while they're setting up each camera shot. . . . I think that makes it look fresh," said Lawless. In addition, Lawless believes that her character -- though from mythological antiquity -- strikes a chord with modern, 1990s audiences, particularly women. "We do seem to have caught a wave of something that works today. The world is ready to accept a strong female character." But Lawless adds she doesn't want audiences to take it all too seriously. "The most important part of 'Xena' is the humor. We are always winking at the audience, having fun with it all. There's really a lot of satire and irony in what we do." In fact, the actress was concerned when she realized Xena was becoming something of a role model to young women. "It frightened me, really," said Lawless. "I wasn't ready for that. I didn't want that kind of responsibility. I felt like saying 'Go away! Leave me alone! What do you mean this is making a statement about political feminism? We're just a bunch of twisted individuals making a show that we like," said Lawless with a laugh, tossing her long mane of brunette locks in a very Xena-esque manner. Now, the actress believes she can handle the whole role model thing in the proper perspective. "I don't think of it as a burden. If people are genuinely helped by watching a television show . . . if some women are inspired to go chase their dreams, then so be it. That's a positive thing." Lawless, who stands nearly 6 feet tall, grew up as the fifth child and oldest daughter of a prominent politician near Auckland, New Zealand. Her father, formerly mayor of Mount Albert, currently serves as chairman of finance for Auckland city. The actress believes "even though my father rarely brought his business home," preferring to leave politics at the office, he did encourage lively dinner table conversations. "Oh, yes indeed!"=7F Lawless also credits her parents with inspiring her independent spirit. While "acting was always the most important thing to me," she did go out into the world to experience an unusual array of temporary careers. After a short stint attending Auckland University in her native land, Lawless headed for Europe in her late teens, spending some time picking grapes at a vineyard on the Rhine. "When I ran out of the money I'd saved, I headed to Australia," where she worked as a gold miner for 11 months. "People have romantic notions about mining for gold. It's rough, dirty work." In addition, Lawless was bothered by how the gold-mining process in Australia destroys the environment. "There are miles and miles where they just blow the landscape to smithereens." It was in Australia that she married and had her daughter, Daisy, now 8. Though now divorced, Lawless=7F says she and her ex-husband have a good relationship and feels fortunate that he "only lives down the road," so their daughter gets to see both parents "all the time." Shortly after marrying, Lawless returned to New Zealand to actively pursue her acting career, beginning with television commercials. It was while serving as host of a travel magazine show that she was asked to audition for "Hercules." That temporary role, of course, led to her big break. What was it, that the producers saw in Lawless that gave her the edge to become Xena? "I think they were looking for a new face, obviously. But perhaps I was the rough diamond they were looking for." Clearly, her ability to handle the very physical aspects of the role were a big plus. Though, Lawless stresses, she had no martial arts training prior to doing "Hercules" or "Xena." In fact, she even has learned that too much exercise can cause problems. "After I was first cast, I thought it was critical that I be in top shape, so after our already long days of shooting, I would work out for two hours every day. Finally my back gave out and I spent two days in bed. That completely shut down the production, since without me there's no work -- for anyone. It made me realize that doing the role is exercise enough, and if I'm flat on my back I don't do any good to anyone." The actress does have some days that do make her wonder about it all. The worst episode, in terms of difficulty? "No question, episode No. 2, 'Chariots of War,' " Lawless answers immediately. It was a horrendous day, raining and hailing like crazy. I was soaked, and let me tell you, wearing cold, wet leather is no treat... The only thing that kept me going was the realization that time always passes. This had to end -- it just didn't end soon enough!" The best part of playing Xena for Lawless is the fact that the show is entirely filmed outside her native Auckland. "I am 20 minutes from work . . . no matter what." As the mother of a young child, "that gives me a lot of comfort." While she realizes the growing international popularity of "Xena" may lead to Lawless having greater opportunities in the world's entertainment arena, right now she's happy where she is. "Being a mother and being an actress are equally important. I am very lucky that right now I can do both things without having to choose one over the other." "Xena: Warrior Princess," airs at noon on Sundays on WGN-TV, Channel 9. Beginning on Oct. 5 it moves to Saturdays at 3 p.m. Bill Zwecker is the Sun-Times celebrities columnist. GRAPHIC: Lucy Lawless says being the oldest girl in a family of seven children made her a fighter -- which she puts to advantage as the star of "Xena: Warrior Princess." The series airs at noon Sunday on Channel 9. [470] 09-01-96 THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER. Sunday. Page F26. 695 words. "Critical Choices; So much TV, so little time. Here's how TV critic Kinney Littlefield will tackle the tube as the fall season rolls out, now through October." By Kinney Littlefield COMMENTARY: Littlefield's must see Saturday night TV included XWP. Littlefield also called Xena a "shero". [KT] EXCERPT: ...SATURDAY... 9 p.m. "Xena: Warrior Princess" (KTLA/5, syndicated drama, Oct. 5). Lucy Lawless rules as shero Xena. Definitely tape Michael T. Weiss in unexpectedly good fantasy-thriller "The Pretender" (previews 10 p.m. Sept. 19 on NBC in "ER" slot, moves to 9 p.m. Sept. 28)... [472] 09-02-96 NZ WOMAN'S WEEKLY. 658 words. "Gay shock for Xena star" by Tony Brenna. COMMENTARY: I love this article -- not because it's any good (it's garbage), but because it's such a wonderful example of tabloid journalism. I can't tell you if NZ WOMAN'S WEEKLY could officially be called a tabloid, but it certainly acts like one. Most telling is the opening sentence that declares Lawless is "stunned to discover that over in America she's turning into a gay sex symbol." Most folks, at least in the United States, would take the use of the word "stunned" to mean that Lawless is upset by this fact, which is probably why that word was used. However, in true tabloid style, WOMAN'S WEEKLY does not produce even one quote where Lawless is talking about being upset. In fact when they finally quote her (or allegedly quote her), it says the opposite. She is quoted as saying: "Relax, I don't mind. If I please women as well as men, that's great. I'd be delighted to be a sex symbol for both sexes. What this is about is getting as many viewers as possible for the show." This quote sounds like Lawless, and it matches other gay-positive comments she has made on TV talk shows and to reputable publications. But guess what? We don't even know if Lawless said this because WOMAN'S WEEKLY makes it clear that they didn't hear these words from Lawless. Instead, the writer quotes the ever- popular and always anonymous "sources close to the show's producers" as saying that Lawless actually said this to anonymous "bigwigs." (Is that bigwigs in the studio or bigwigs on the street? Do you have to wear a wig to be a bigwig? If so, how big does your hair have to be to qualify you for the title?) But it gets better. Just look at what they did with a Robert Tapert quote that was originally published in MS. Magazine's July/August 1996 issue (XMR #24, annotation 363). In MS, the quote referred to the possibility of having any character in the show, including secondary characters like Joxer or Salmoneus, have an "identifiable gay or lesbian relationship." Look what happened when WOMAN'S WEEKLY got a hold of that quote. WOMAN'S WEEKLY wrote: "According to one American report, gay fans on the Internet computer network are now pressing Xena producers to write a gay love affair between Xena and her curvy blonde sidekick Gabrielle, played by Renee O'Connor." "'I've proposed that to the writing staff, but I have to tread carefully,' producer Robert Tapert is reported as saying. 'We don't want to alienate people. We don't want to alienate kids.'" Presto chango! WOMAN'S WEEKLY has succeed in transforming the Tapert quote from a proposal for an unknown character, male or female, to have a gay or lesbian relationship into Tapert proposing that Gabrielle have a lesbian relationship. (Wonder who WOMAN'S WEEKLY had in mind for Gabrielle's partner?) Finally, WOMAN'S WEEKLY ends with a flourish that takes them to the pinnacle (bottom?) of tabloid journalism. They resort to that most famous of all tabloid sources -- the insider. Quoting "a Xena insider", the publication notes that producers were horrified when someone somewhere at some time (but we don't know who, when or where) suggested that Lawless be Grand Marshal of "the next Gay and Lesbian Pride parade." This insider said that Lawless would never be allowed to do that. The insider is also quoted as saying, "In fact, we already think this gay connection is really getting out of hand." This all might be true, but unfortunately for us hapless readers, we don't have a clue as to the identity of the source. That means we have no way to judge the accuracy of this information. I mean how inside is this insider? Is he/she a producer or a janitor, a current employee or a fired one, a writer or the girlfriend of a guy who's uncle once worked at Renaissance Pictures for a week. Ya' just gotta love publications like WOMAN'S WEEKLY and hope that nobody takes them seriously. [DS] REPRINT: New Zealand TV star Lucy Lawless has been stunned to discover that over in America she's turning into a gay sex symbol. Her show Xena: Warrior Princess has gained a cult following. And the sword-swinging, man-bashing beauty portrayed by luscious Lucy is so popular with gay women, lesbian bars have taken to holding special Xena viewing nights. Hollywood lesbian bar owner Janet Thompson says the best night of the week at the Strumpet Bar is when they have a showing of Xena on the big-screen TV. "The gals come flooding in, they drink more and they shout and cheer as sexy Xena's wild battles take place," says Janet. "They just love those skimpy leather-skirted outfits, and quite a few women have arrived dressed similarly - looking very butch indeed." And that's not all. Apparently, gals behind prison bars have made Lucy their pin-up queen. In women's jails, some framed colour pictures of the Kiwi beauty sell for as much as $50. Additionally, pictures of the brawny Amazon circulate widely on the Internet. Sources close to the show's producers say the bigwigs are in shock that they've drawn the gay crowd into such a fanatic following. But Lucy herself has told them, "Relax, I don't mind. If I please women as well as men, that's great. I'd be delighted to be a sex symbol for both sexes. What this is about is getting as many viewers as possible for the show." But how far will all this go? According to one American report, gay fans on the Internet computer network are now pressing Xena producers to write a gay love affair between Xena and her curvy blonde sidekick Gabrielle, played by Renee O'Connor. "I've proposed that to the writing staff, but I have to tread carefully," producer Robert Tapert is reported as saying. "We don't want to alienate people. We don't want to alienate kids." More than that, the show is starting to draw fire from the Christian right in puritanical and hypocritical America. "I think the costumes are far too skimpy, that the obvious lesbian thrust of the show is disgusting," says the Rev Paul Bannister, a Baptist minister. "If they push for more of an underlying gay theme, we'll have to strive to get this show banned." "We know the series is attracting a lesbian following and we don't want that kind of thing on national TV." Leggy, leather-skirted Xena was originally supposed to be a heroine for little girls and a sexy draw for male viewers. Show producers stress at the moment there's no hint of passion between the Warrior Princess and Gabrielle. "Early on, the studio came down on me because they wanted to make sure no one perceived Xena and Gabrielle as lesbians," Tapert is quoted as saying. But gay viewers, who are drooling over sleekly muscled Lucy in her provocative Xena outfit, see plenty of sexual chemistry in the way the raven-haired warrior protects willowy Gabrielle, say sources. "Show star Lawless, who is estranged from her husband and has an eight-year-old daughter named Daisy, looks like a fascinating woman," says lesbian writer, June Preston. "We just wish she'd make an official visit here. She'd be a mega-hit with West Hollywood's lesbian community. "TV's hunkiest woman warrior is a new lesbian love goddess," says June. But suggestions that Lucy become the Grand Marshal of the next Gay and Lesbian Pride parade were met with horror by producers of the TV show. Says a Xena insider, "We would never put Lucy in a situation like that. It's one thing to have a gay following - but it's another to make it official. That would bring down the Christian right and could wreck the show." "In fact, we already think this gay connection is really getting out of hand. We want as many viewers as possible, drawn from every grouping." "I'm sure Lucy realises there's real danger in being associated with any one specific sexual persuasion." [473] 09-02-96 ELECTRONIC MEDIA. Page 4. 414 words. "Tribune's Aliens Will Feature a Familiar Gene" By Greg Spring COMMENTARY: In an article about the recently unearthed Battleground Earth script by Gene Roddenberry and how Tribune Entertainment would produce it, the President of Tribune Entertainment mentioned how Tribune stations have shown, by way of XWP and HTLJ, how their stations are "the best launching pad for action-adventure hours." [KT] EXCERPT: A recently unearthed 25-year-old script by the late "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry has become the basis of a new Tribune Entertainment syndicated action hour called "Battleground Earth." The company also plans to bring out a companion piece to "Battleground Earth" to create a two-hour action block in 1997. "Our goal is to launch two hours that would have compatible demographic flow to play as a block," said Tribune Entertainment President Dick Askin. He said the second drama would not be science fiction.... ...Noting the success Tribune stations have had with MCA's syndicated "Hercules" and "Xena," Mr. Askin said, "the Tribune stations historically are the best launching pad for action-adventure hours."... [474] 09-02-96 XENA MEDIA REVIEW. No. 17. Edited by and annotations by Kym Masera Taborn. COMMENTARY: A world press review of coverage on XWP, Renee O'Connor, or Lucy Lawless. Covered 04/04/96 - 04/20/96. Episode guide through The Prodigal; XenaFest II report; Essay: The Baywatch Curse; Femme Fatale, Starlog, and LL's first on-line post to fandom; Greeks vs. Hollywood; People magazine LL interview; Q&As; Conan; Xena fandom; Seagram's influence on MCA; MST3K; Captain Zoom; Guilty pleasures; and more! [KT] [475] 09-02-96 THE GREATER GOOD. Episode no. 21. Second release. GUEST STARS: Robert Trebor (Salmoneous) and Peter McCauley (Talmadeus). CAST: Jonathon Hendry (Ness), Natalya Humphrey (Photis), James Adam Timothy (Kalus), David Mitchell (Gorney), Kenneth Prebble (Old Man). CREDITS: Written by Steven L. Sears; Directed by Gary Jones. COMMENTARY: See XMR274 for synopsis and commentary. [476] 09-03-96 THE VILLAGE VOICE. Page 6. 454 words. "Making the Xena: Broadswords and Budweisers" By Tom Dolby. COMMENTARY: In an article about the monthly XWP parties at Meow Mix, a lesbian bar in the East Village, New York, Mr. Dolby described his visit to the last fete. The bar was packed and the night began with the showing of three episodes which received commentary from the audience. The evening's main event was the Xena and Gabrielle look alike contest, with action figures as the prizes. The bar will be having a sword contest next month. The promoter of the Xena nights described Xena as "so gorgeous, she's like Grace Slick on steroids." The owner stated, "I hear people telling each other, I'll see you in September... Women who never go to bars are coming to this night." [KT] Congratulations to THE VILLAGE VOICE for discovering Xena night at the Meow Mix one full year before CNN figured it out. The famous news network only ran its story on Meow Mix in the fall of 1997. [DS] REPRINT: Around the East Village, it s not unusual to meet fans of the TV show Xena: Warrior Princess. It s only once a month, however, you can find a whole bar full of them. Xena buffs are gathered on a recent Tuesday evening for Xena Night, a monthly party at the lesbian bar Meow Mix on Houston Street. Promoter Andrea Kusten, professionally known as The Big Mama Freak, has organized this night in celebration of the feminist super hero she describes as so gorgeous, she's like Grace Slick on steroids. Kusten proudly holds up a recent Ms. magazine Xena cover story, which notes that evenings honoring this dark-haired, armor-clad heroine are on the vanguard of lesbian and feminist youth culture. Kusten, wearing an orange hockey jersey and sporting a large mane of blond hair, screens three episodes of Xena each night for an attentive audience. They're well-behaved during the dialogue, she says, but they whoop and cheer when the action begins--and every time we show something with lesbian overtones, everyone yells Rewind! Indeed, Meow Mix is filled with saucy young lesbians of all types who stare in rapt attention at Xena s antics, whether she is kicking (mostly male) ass, performing a blood transfusion, or delivering a baby via C-section. What gets the most applause, however, are Xena's attempts at mouth-to-mouth resuscitation on her partner, Gabrielle ("Slip her the tongue, Xena!", someone yells from the bar at this critical moment). The evening's main event is the Xena and Gabrielle look-alike contest, with Xena action figures given for prizes. While there are only two Gabrielle contestants, the Xena competition includes three homemade costumes and a drag queen in a full vinyl bodysuit. The prize, after much deliberation, goes to Xena No. 3, a young Latina woman with Ultimate Xena Realness. "Remember, we're having a sword-fighting contest next month!" Kusten cheerfully announces, as the contest audience begins to depart. Meow Mix owner Brooke Webster is thrilled about the party's success. "I hear people telling each other, I I'll see you in September!", she says, standing in front of her club. "Women who never go to bars are coming to this night." GRAPHIC: Photo: Kicking ass and birthing babies. [477] 09-03-96 WAIKATO TIMES (HAMILTON). Letters. Page 7. 129 words. "TV shows frustrate" by Anita Griffins COMMENTARY: XWP is critized in a letter to the editor of a NZ newspaper. [KT] REPRINT: Ridiculous new television programmes are coming in at the moment. They are all about fighting and being the most strongest person in the world. Real life isn't like that. I don't know who they are trying to impress, or what age group they are aimed at. Xena Warrior Princess or Hercules and even Superman or Power Rangers are just some of the imaginative things that television producers have made up. They are not realistic at all, they are trying to get across that if you are strong and can fight monsters or villains you are the best person in the world. It really frustrates me how kids think that they can be like them, so they try and kick you and beat you up just to prove they have the powers to be like them. ANITA GRIFFITHS Form 5 Waikato Diocesan [478] 09-04-96 E! NEWS DAILY. Feature. COMMENTARY: Any information on this would be appreciated! [479]09-05-96 ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH. Thursday. Page 55. 445 words. "For the Love of Lucy" By Chris Dickinson COMMENTARY: In stating "I love Lucy", author Chris Dickinson admitted that it was Lucy Lawless not Lucille Ball that he was talking about. Also confessing an understanding of why lesbians would be attracted to XWP, Mr. Dickinson (I am assuming Dickinson is a man) apparently wrote this after watching DEATH MASK the previous week. Most of his references in the article are from that episode. However, Mr. Dickinson was not aware that XWP was shot in New Zealand. He made references to the exterior shots looking like they were shot in Northern California. This article is an example of a new type of XWP review that is now appearing in the mass media. First, it is not based upon a press release with the writer relying upon the p.r. copy for their story. Second, local reporters are beginning to originate the story on their own from their own viewing habits. The reporters are reporting on XWP from their personal experience. Either they love it, they hate it, or they don't quite understand what's going on. The important difference is that it is being generated not from above or externally. It is directly from their own observations. Third, because of this grassroots approach, many of the writers cannot afford or arrange because of lack of clout or creativity actual interviews with the producers, writers, or actors of the show. Nonetheless, these stories are popping up here and there. For example, the author of this story did not know the show was filmed in New Zealand. Obviously their information was not gleaned from interviews or press releases. It came from the heart. The Xenaddicted are starting to emerge from everywhere, even the media! [KT] REPRINT: She comes to me in the late-night glow of the tube, and I am transfixed. She's buxom, she's brawny, she's clad in a leather skirt and bronze breast (and I mean breast) plates. No one can conquer her not evil kings, not fickle gods, not filthy hordes of gnarly barbarians. On foot or on horseback, swinging on ropes or flipping through the air, she is the ruler of my TV universe. What can I say? I love Lucy. No, I'm not talking Ball. I'm talking Lawless, as in Lucy Lawless, as in star of the syndicated television show "Xena: Warrior Princess." Xena's official web-site (http://www.mca.com/tv/xena) describes the superwoman of ancient Greece this way: "Surrounded by enemies, barbaric tribes, slave traders and a host of other evils, Xena is on a mission to help people free themselves from tyranny and injustice." She is also, according to the tabloids (which I read as religiously as I watch this show), a major sex symbol for lesbians. In fact, the show "Xena: Warrior Princess" has apparently become the "Melrose Place" of lesbian bar communal TV watching. Instead of gathering to watch who Heather Locklear will destroy next, gay women gather to watch Xena kick scummy male butt and hang out with her faithful female companion, the demure Gabrielle. I understand these women's fixation, because Lucy/Xena's appeal cuts across all age, gender and sexual preference lines. To paraphrase Dennis Miller, I'm not gay or anything, but Lucy Lawless is hot. She uses her goddess-like strength to grind dirt-bags into dust. As in the great comic book tradition of all superheroes, Xena puts herself in constant jeopardy, yet always wins in the end. An icky barbarian ties her up and holds her hostage in his tent? Not to worry she escapes from leather strap bondage by popping a knife blade out of her ample cleavage and into the air, where it slashes down and snips right through her ankle restraints. A man slaps Xena's face? No sweat she head-butts him into unconsciousness. An angry army attacks her with spears in a castle? The woman improvises with aplomb she grabs two wet towels, flicks them in circles like twin twisters in a locker room, and uses these make-shift whips to lash the army into submission. You can't keep Xena down, and you can't stop her. And once hooked on this TV wonderwoman of the '90s, you can't ever look at ancient Greece the same way again (because, frankly, Xena's ancient Greece looks a whole lot like exterior shots of Northern California and interior shots of Cecil B. DeMille reject sets in a Burbank back-lot). Like I said, I love Lucy. Hail, hail, Xena, Warrior Princess, ruler of my late-night heart. GRAPHIC: Photo of Xena Warrior Princess ================ CUT HERE ================== XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28 (10/11/97) Borg 4 of 6