XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28 (10/11/97) Borg 6 of 6 ================ CUT HERE ================== [490] 09-08-97 HOT HOLLYWOOD GOSSIP. COMMENTARY: HHG is a humor ezine which takes it material from the headlines and stories of the tabloid press. EXCERPT: ...Gay fans of the show XENA are pressuring execs for XENA to have a LOVE AFFAIR with her sidekick, GABRIELLE!(Globe) Thoughts: 1) Do you think Gabrielle ever asks, "Xena, why do you always invite me to ride on your horse with you and why do you always sit so close in the saddle?" 2) We know that XENA is very protective of Gabrielle, and we also know that XENA has a killer metal frisbee called a "shockram" that she can use to cut off very specific parts of her opponent's body. If a guy came on to Gabrielle and XENA got jealous, do you think she would use her shockram to cut off his- 3) Girl on Girl themes on Xena? I can just see my TV Guide now: 9 PM XENA E. DeGeneres guest stars as a shape changing monster, "Ellenicus", who gets rid of Gabrielle and then impersonates her, seducing Xena so that guys won't follow her anymore.... [491] 09-09-96 CALLISTO. Episode no. 22. Second release. GUEST STARS: Hudson Leick (Callisto) and Ted Raimi (Joxer). CAST: Patricia Donovan (Old Woman), Michael Hallows (Tall Villager), Ian Hughes (Melas), Kenneth McGregor (Akteon), Toby Mills (Tall Man), David Te Rare (Theodorus). CREDITS: Written by R.J. Stewart; Directed by T.J. Scott. [KT] COMMENTARY: See XMR285 for synopsis and commentary. [492] 09-10-96 DAILY VARIETY. Tuesday. Page 25. 263 words. "Syndie talkers tumble; tabmags take a hit" By Jenny Hontz COMMENTARY: TIES THAT BIND (#20), 2nd release, 08/12/96. Ranked as the 2nd action hour with a 4.4 rating. [HTLJ took 1st place with a 5.2 and ST:DS9 too 3rd for the fifth straight week with a 4.2]. 1st release: 04/22/96, the show did not make the top twenty. [KT] EXCERPT: Summer doldrums continued to plague most syndicated shows the week ended Aug. 25. Most talk shows and tabmags suffered losses, but entertainment magazines recovered from the Republican convention chaos, according to Nielsen.... ...In weekly action, MCA TV's "Hercules," at 5.2, and "Xena," at 4.4, beat Par's "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" (4.2) for the fifth straight week. [493] 09-10-96 NZ WOMAN'S WEEKLY. --- words. COMMENTARY: A fragment from our favorite NZ tabloid. EXCERPT: To millions of tv viewers around world, Lucy Lawless is none other than the sword swinging, man bashing, Xena Warrior Princess. But to her parents, Frank and Julie Ryan, at their home in Aukland, Lucy's still the sweet natured, trusting little girl they've lovingly raised for 27 years. "Lucy was a very special child to us. She was the first girl after four boys" says Frank, the former mayor of Mt Albert who's now a Councillor for Auckland city. "She always wanted to be rich and famous. It was quite a joke in the family. She was a lovely little kid, never any trouble." Lucy was tall, but never ungraceful," recalls proud mum, Julie, of her strapping 1.83 m (6 ft) daughter. "She was a bit of a tomboy I suppose you could say. And she was always a great one for performing. I'll never forget the little gymnastic displays, concerts and dramas she and her friends used to put on. They'd make all the neighbours come and watch their shows." "She learned all those flips on our bed, you know. The children would open the toilet door so they could get a good run-up, sprint through and tumble onto our bed." "And it was nothing to have six or seven children in bed with us in the mornings. The poor bed just couldn' t take the strain in the end - one of the legs broke so we had to prop it up with telephone books." One of Frank's happiest memories while raising their seven children were the happy, rollicking games the family enjoyed around the neighbourhood of their sprawling Mt. Albert bungalow. "We'd go down to the back field, and have these battles with grass clippings and rotten fruit. Lucy would always be right in there giving it her best. She had a great throw - she's got a good strong arm ! and being one of only two girls in the family, she learned early on to give as good as she got." [494] 09-11-96 THE TAMPA TRIBUNE. Wednesday. BAYLIFE. Page 3. 555 words. "Xena faces a new battle: to keep fans" By Walt Belcher. COMMENTARY: Mr. Belcher took a lot of words to basically say that XWP had changed channels and times in Tampa, Florida, because the original station (Channel 13) said XWP was too expensive to continue running. Channel 10 picked XWP up, but will run it midnight Sundays starting 10/06/96. The area still will receive XWP over WGN for those who have cable. [KT] REPRINT: "Xena: Princess Warrior," she of the leather 'n' steel breastplate, is going to do some time traveling. During the next three weeks, the fantasy drama will be flipping through different time slots until it lands at midnight Sundays on WTSP, Channel 10 - sort of like the way Xena flips off her horse and knocks down her attackers. Xena, played by New Zealander Lucy Lawless, has a large cult following. So some of you are going to face Xena withdrawal pains tonight at 11. When you tune in to WTVT, Channel 13, for a dose of mythological creature bashing, you will find a new drama, "Two." The syndicated "Xena" and its companion series, "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," are moving to WTSP, Channel 10 in October. Syndicated series don't belong to any network; they are sold to the highest bidder for the best deal. Xena and Herc have good ratings but are costly to renew. Channel 13 is letting them go to make room for new programming. Channel 10 plans to air "Hercules" at midnight Saturdays beginning Oct. 5. "Xena" will air at midnight Sundays beginning Oct. 6. Before the move, both shows have three more outings on Channel 13. "Xena" will air in the pre-dawn hours on Saturdays, at 3 a.m. this week and 4 a.m. Sept. 21 and 28. "Hercules" will air at 11 p.m. Thursday and Sept. 19 and 3 a.m. Sept. 28. Meanwhile, those with cable can watch Xena and Herc on WGN of Chicago, which airs each three times a week between baseball games.... ...GRAPHIC: Lucy LAWLESS [495] 09-11-96 THE BALTIMORE SUN. Wednesday. SPORTS. Page 2D. 713 words. "Numbers show Ravens, Orioles cutting into each other's ratings" By Milton Kent COMMENTARY: I always find it heartwarming to locate a XWP mention in the sports pages! Mr. Kent mentioned XWP in passing when he dwelled upon whether HTLJ or XWP would be delayed for a big sports event. [KT] EXCERPT: As with almost everything else in life, there are at least a couple of ways to look at last weekend's ratings, and how you view them probably depends on whether you think this is a baseball town or a football town waiting to find its television audience.... ...Meanwhile, as the networks begin sending their new fall offerings -- each more hilarious and dramatic than the one before it -- their affiliates are loath to pre-empt those shows. Channel 54's affiliation with the United Paramount Network and its Tuesday lineup wipes out the series opener, and Channel 13, now owned and operated by CBS, can't pass up that network's new shows on any of the three nights. It would appear that the only possibility is Thursday's finale, provided Channel 54 officials are willing to delay "Hercules" and "Xena" for a time in favor of what could be the Orioles' biggest game of the year.... [496] 09-11-96 THE CHARLESTON GAZETTE. Wednesday. Page 06. 99 words. ""Adopt a Pet" COMMENTARY: Non-XWP reference. A cat with the name Xena. EXCERPT: Meet Xena, a female Siamese cat, and Libby, a female Terrier/mix dog. They are at the Putnam Animal Relief Center awaiting new homes. There is a $ 25 adoption fee which includes initial vaccination, worming and a certificate for 25 percent off the cost of spaying or neutering. The certificate is accepted by several veterinarians in Putnam and Kanawha and Cabell counties. The shelter is located along U.S. 35 near Winfield and is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For more information about adopting a pet, call the shelter at 586-0249. [497] 09-12-96 THE TORONTO STAR. Thursday. Page SW64. 3167 words. "New for '96 Canadian specials Socumentaries, movies and mini-series" COMMENTARY: In a preview of what each network/channel will be offering for Toronto this new TV season, it was mentioned that XWP will be broadcast on the New VR station. [KT] EXCERPT: ...The New VR Primetime on the New VR will include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Xena, WWF Monday Night Raw, Baywatch Nights, Martin, Living Single, The Sentinel and In The House. Movies on tap include Dennis The Menace, Addams Family, Free Willy, Wayne's World, Batman Returns, Gremlins, Star Trek IV, Grumpy Old Men, Doc Hollywood, Split Images, Iron Eagle.... [498] 09-12-96 THE TORONTO STAR. Thursday. Page SW74. 1764 words. "New for '96 Kidstuff" By Louise Brown COMMENTARY: A preview of shows coming up in the new season which are targeted to the 9-13 year-old crowd. The article noted that half of the 'tween live action drama are from Australia "where quality programs for young adults clearly is a priority." XWP was mentioned in the description about "The Adventures of Sinbad". Ms. Brown wrote, "No, this isn't another vehicle for the standup comic, but rather the latest entry in the hot new genre of muscle-bound, bare-chested hunk heroes such as Tarzan, Hercules and Xena (well, she wears a pointy bra thingy)." Pointy bra thing? Do you think she was thinking about Madonna by mistake? Madonna, Warrior Princess. [KT] EXCERPT: Long stranded between trashy talk shows and cutesy baby fluff, the bulging 9-to-13 audience has become the hot new target group of TV executives. This fall, they own the junior airwaves. Canadian networks have shopped the world to find programs loaded with plot and attitude.... ...School-aged: Live action drama... Fall's best tween dramas all have a hint of The X-Files, blending science fiction with coming-of-age drama. And half are from Australia, where quality programs for young adults clearly is a priority.... ...THE ADVENTURES OF SINBAD: No, this isn't another vehicle for the standup comic, but rather the latest entry in the hot new genre of muscle-bound, bare-chested hunk heroes such as Tarzan, Hercules and Xena (well, she wears a pointy bra thingy). Global launches the one-hour sexy sailor show Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. as part of its Saturday afternoon "Totally Heroic TV" block, followed by Herc and Xena, but you can get an early peek Saturday with its prime-time launch of two episodes from 9 to 11 p.m.... [499] 09-12-96 DENVER WESTWORD. 3622 words. "Mystery Man; Who is Ralph Gean, and why is he the latest hero of Denver's musical underground?" by Michael Roberts COMMENTARY: Very long article about an underground cult singer in Denver who found some of his inspiration for songs while watching Hercules and Xena on TV. [LW] Whew! What a relief to read to the end of this article and discover that a fellow who sings "I need a thrill, a perfect kill" used his Hercules and Xena inspiration to write a song entitled "Goddess of Love." In it, he rhymed "Aphrodite" with "flighty." [DS] EXCERPT: At the Lion's Lair during the waning hours of a Thursday in late August, the hipsters have gathered. Knots of musicians, fans and hangers-on cluster around the venue's bar, patting backs, exchanging gossip and otherwise epitomizing all that is fresh and modern and now about nightlife in the Nineties. In other words, they look nothing like the man they've come to see. "I just got a request for a murder song," says Ralph Gean. As the crowd lets out a cheer, Gean, 53, offers an orthodontically suspect smile. He's wearing a gaudy Hawaiian shirt that disappears under the waistband of stretch pants that are belted around his considerable midsection, and his stoop-shouldered stance and non-threatening demeanor don't exactly cry out "rock intensity." But when Gean begins flailing away at an acoustic guitar so timeworn and flimsy that it threatens to snap in his hands, the effect is curiously riveting. And so, too, are his lyrics, which he croons in a deep, rich Texas baritone: Homicidal me The man you see Yes I'm gonna be On a killing spree Underneath the moon The full and shining moon Homicidal me As the Lair's patrons whoop, Gean bugs out his friendly, hangdog eyes and chuckles. The words to his ditty are dangerous, but its simple melody, which bespeaks the influence of early rockabilly, is almost impossibly jaunty. Soon, everyone in the joint, from dour poseurs to grimy derelicts taking a brief respite from the sights and sounds of East Colfax, are swaying along to the beat. By the final verse, Gean is practically leading a sing-along. I need a thrill A perfect kill Carrie Lee or Jane Or Jack and Jill Anyone will do A doctor, nurse or you Homicidal me Amid the applause that greets Gean's final chord, a young woman wearing a skintight black minidress and smoking a cigarette dangling from the tip of a lengthy holder greets three friends who've just entered the room. "Hurry up, hurry up," she urges them. "You've got to hear this guy. He's like nothing you've seen in your life!"... ...To wit: Gean would buy a steak at nearby Bastien's Restaurant, then go back home to watch Hercules and Xena: Warrior Princess on television. His love of these syndicated adventure shows fomented "Goddess of Love," Gean's latest two-minute epic. "It's kind of my version of Greek mythology," he says--but this highfalutin subject matter didn't stop him from rhyming "Aphrodite" with "flighty."... [500] 09-13-96 ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT. COMMENTARY: Lucy Lawless on Entertainment Tonight TRANSCRIPTION by Thomas Simpson from Tom's Xena Page (http://www.xenafan.com) EXCERPT: Mary Hart: Hercules has a lot going for him and Xena, Warrior Princess is pretty tough too. Not only can she beat up the bad guys, but she does it in skintight leather. Lucy Lawless: My Xena costume is just a second skin. Mary Hart: Watch out everybody, Xena is back on the prowl for her second season. Lucy Lawless who plays the lioness in leather is just happy it's finally on the air in her native New Zealand Lucy: My mother loves it, and the kids at my daughter's school, so what could be better than that? Mary Hart: Well, there's the fact that her show was last season's highest rated new syndicated series, and Rosie O'Donnell says Lucy was her show's most requested guest. A recent visit allowed Lucy to show off another side. [Brief excerpt of Lucy's Cowboy song]. Mary Hart: But back in New Zealand there is work to done. Lucy says all the action keeps her so busy that there's no need to work out anymore. Lucy: I was doing a 14 hour day and then going to the gym. And for about 8 months I did that 5 times a week and it just about killed me Mary Hart: But it payed off. Her tough but sexy image has even spawned off a Xena action figure. Lucy: This is really cool. Look, she's got her little bikini on 'cause it's a bit cold, a bit nippy down here. Mary Hart: It is winter down under in New Zealand but that isn't enough to stop Xena. Lucy: Xena rides in chariots in two degree weather and gets very wet in hardly any clothes, but she does it for you. [Music chord ends] Mary Hart: While the kids at Lucy's eight year old daughter Daisy's school love the show now, Daisy wasn't so sure it would be like that at first. Daisy told her mom she was scared the kids might think Xena was dumb. Fortunately mom has turned out to be a very cool thing to watch. Xena's new season starts up the week of September 30th in syndication. [501] 09-15-96 LOS ANGELES TIMES. Sunday. Page 20. 634 words. "Turn On, Tune in or Miss Out; PBS Discovers 'the West'; NBC Reserves a 'London Suite'; HBO Congas with Gloria Estefan in Miami" by Steven Linan. COMMENTARY: Linan mentioned XWP as being responsible for such series as "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures." [KT] EXCERPT: Sunday / "Tarzan's Return" / 5 p.m. KCAL Joe Lara, who played the swingin' ape dude in a 1989 TV movie, again dons the loin cloth for this two-hour pilot launching a new syndicated series called "Tarzan: The Epic Adventures." Would this exist if not for the success of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and "Xena: Warrior Princess"? We'd wager not.... ============= THE BACK PAGE ============= LETTERS: The USA Deal ------------ Date: Sun, 17 Aug 1997 From: aCe / Acean (ace@electrotex.com) Subject: Re: XENA MEDIA REVIEW #25 (08/18/97) Kym Masera Taborn wrote: > XENA MEDIA REVIEW #25 (08-18-97) Part 3 of 4 > "Hercules" will make its premiere as a Monday-Friday > strip on USA in September 1998, along with 72 > episodes of companion show "Xena," on their hands. How can USA buy 72 eps of Xena? Aren't there only 46 so far? Or am I just confused....??? Acean DEAR ACEAN: The 72 were part of the deal because at the time the deal was made the assumption was three 24 episode seasons, not 22 as they have begun (they did 24 for the first season). Either the contract has been modified or it will be sweetened by adding 4 episodes from the 4th season. Lucy Lawless in Peach --------------------- Date: Sun, 07 Sep 1997 From: Laine R Lawless (rlawless@sj.bigger.net) Subject: XMR #26 Re: [433] LL's comment about her acting in Peach: I didn't find anything wrong with it. She only had a few lines, and I don't see how she could have delivered them any better. Her expressions were priceless, and her smile was great. Hey, she just looked like the sweet little lesbian next door! XENA MEDIA REVIEW STAFF: Living to serve Xena fandom since March 1996! Kym Masera Taborn (KT), editor-in-chief ktaborn@lightspeed.net Diane Silver (DS), editor (even issues) dswriter@idir.net Maria Erb (MBE), editor (odd issues) maria@erb.mv.com Barbara Johnson, circulation xenatwo@aol.com Lydia M. Woods (LM), assist. to the editor-in-chief woodsl@erol.com Lucia Correa, TWXN circulation (mailing lists) Tim Smith, TWXN circulation (news groups) Angela Atkins, TWXN circulation (forums) Thomas Simpson, mascot thomas@xenafan.com BACK ISSUES: Back issues of XMR are available at the XMR Archive on the XMR web page: http://xenafan.com/xmr THIS WEEK IN XENA NEWS: TWXN is the advance sheet for XMR. Since XMR offers indepth analysis of media coverage, the issues are distanced in order to gain perspective and insight into how the media report affected the future or was affected by its peers. TWXN is a commentary-lite review of excerpts to be used in future XMRs as they are processed for the XMR database. TWXN is not available for subscription, however it is posted regularly on the XenaVerse, Hercules-Xena, and Chakram Mailing Lists (thank you Lucia!), the MCA NetForum (when they are accepting posts!), the Xenite Message Center (whenever I can find them!), and alt.tv.xena. REPRINT POLICY: Permission to use, copy and distribute Xena Media Review (XMR), or parts thereof, by electronic means for any non-profit purpose is hereby granted, provided that both the below copyright notice and this permission notice appear in all copies of the newsletter itself, and that proper credit is given for any excerpts. Any other format or purpose for distribution requires permission of the author. Reproducing XMR or parts thereof by any means implies full agreement to the below non-profit use clause. SOLICITATIONS FOR FUTURE NEWSLETTERS: Send cites, references, articles, annotations, and/or submissions to ktaborn@lightspeed.net and I will love you for it. XMR is a non-profit fan publication. The editors retain editorial control and reprint privileges over the submitted materials and reserve the right to use the material in whatever way they deem appropriate. Submitted materials will not be returned to the sender. DISCLAIMER: XMR (Xena Media Review) is a free non- profit informational release. XMR in no way intends to challenge, disregard or profit from any of the original copyright holders of the material excerpted, reprinted, or referred to (including but not limited to MCA, Universal, Renaissance Pictures, and any other rightful and legal copyright holder). This newsletter is an academic and educational pursuit to archive, annotate, and study the media response to Xena: Warrior Princess (a television production from MCA/Universal/ Renaissance) and the actresses Lucy Lawless and Renee O'Connor, especially in the light of popular culture and the influence of mass media. XMR exercises its right to quote, excerpt or reprint as allowed under the law in order to review and discuss the media reports cited and annotated herein. XMR is distributed free of charge via electronic media. Banner graphic by Colleen Stephan. This is A Labor of Love Publication. Copyright 1996, 1997 by Kym Masera Taborn. ================ CUT HERE ================== XENA MEDIA REVIEW #28 (10/11/97) Borg 6 of 6