From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V3 #73 Reply-To: chakram-refugees@smoe.org Sender: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Errors-To: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Precedence: bulk chakram-refugees-digest Saturday, March 15 2003 Volume 03 : Number 073 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: [chakram-refugees] Metro Mag 3/03 [IfeRae@aol.com] [chakram-refugees] Re: [Chakram-refugees] Metro Mag 3/03 ["Mark B." What I don't understand, though, is if she were as stressed out by the > show as much as she claims she was in the Metro article, why wasn't she > more up-front about it in both her print and TV interviews at the time? I > mean, if the show was taking its toll on her, she could still say that > diplomatically to the general public on TV and then there wouldn't have > been that big letter-writing campaign, etc., and the studio wouldn't've > been blamed, etc. > I remember thinking Lucy seemed conflicted during the period when the show's future was up in the air, then when it's demise was certain. I can recall her expressing a little frustration about how the show was being switched around to different time slots, some of which weren't good for viewership, as well as how shows being produced by some networks were receiving more support than independent shows. It's one thing for Xenastaff to choose to call it quits for their own reasons, but I think she didn't like the impression that the show itself was no longer viable because of the skewed viewer stats. On the other hand, she clearly said she was tired and ready to move on, but felt a responsibility to everyone employed by XWP to give it her best shot as long as possible. Then as now, she was in a tough position, where I do believe she balanced diplomacy and honesty as best she could. If she made too many negative comments about the "suits," she could seem ungrateful or a spoiled "star" ignorant of financial "realities" associated with the industry. If she made too many negative comments about her personal trials, folks might wonder why she bothered and whether she was simply treading water, rather than still committed to giving her all. Lucy has never struck me as someone who likes to complain. Her interviews seemed more frustrated, disconnected and unsure to me during that period -- caught between the past and future. She seemed to be communicating what she felt on a particular day, more than the standard answers she gave when she knew what to expect from decision makers and the routine of doing the show. I think she wanted to remain positive, despite the uncertainties. It seems perfectly normal to me that she would look back on it all now and express what she felt more freely and articulately after some distance. - -- Ife ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 07:41:12 -0600 From: "Mark B." Subject: [chakram-refugees] Re: [Chakram-refugees] Metro Mag 3/03 IfeRae@aol.com wrote: >I remember thinking Lucy seemed conflicted during the period when the >show's future was up in the air, then when it's demise was certain. I >can recall her expressing a little frustration about how the show was >being switched around to different time slots, some of which weren't >good for viewership, as well as how shows being produced by some >networks were receiving more support than independent shows. It's one >thing for Xenastaff to choose to call it quits for their own reasons, >but I think she didn't like the impression that the show itself was no >longer viable because of the skewed viewer stats. Very well put! I remember the 'grumblings' about the time slots being switched around to all sorts of odd hours. As frustrating as it was for we viewers, it must have been equally frustrating [if not more so] for LL and TPTB as they must have realized how that would effect their ratings. I think that it may have been a point of irritation because, like you said, it is one thing for Xenastaff to be calling their own shots and quite another for networks to be jerking them around. I was always totally impressed by LL's loyalty to staff and crew. She seemed to always work with a 'team spirit' that seems to be becoming more of a rarity here in the States. >Lucy has never struck me as someone who likes to complain. Her >interviews seemed more frustrated, disconnected and unsure to me during >that period -- caught between the past and future. She seemed to be >communicating what she felt on a particular day, more than the standard >answers she gave when she knew what to expect from decision makers and >the routine of doing the show. I think she wanted to remain positive, >despite the uncertainties. It seems perfectly normal to me that she >would look back on it all now and express what she felt more freely and >articulately after some distance. I was always amazed at her honesty and humbleness -- certainly a very pleasant change from what we see from many stars. I agree that, with a perspective tempered by time, she would be able to have a more unbiased perspective. Mark ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 14 Mar 2003 21:40:18 -0500 From: "Cheryl Ande" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Re: chakram-refugees-digest V3 #72 Jackies wrote: > > What I don't understand, though, is if she were as stressed out by the > show as much as she claims she was in the Metro article, why wasn't she > more up-front about it in both her print and TV interviews at the time? I > mean, if the show was taking its toll on her, she could still say that > diplomatically to the general public on TV and then there wouldn't have > been that big letter-writing campaign, etc., and the studio wouldn't've > been blamed, etc. The studio did can the show and it was going to cancel the show midseason. Mainly because Tribune wanted to go with cheaper shows. As far as I know Lucy didn't quit the show nor did Renee. Now I think there was some talk of a 7th season but I don't know if Lucy or Renee wanted that. I think if Rob wanted it to go on Lucy would have done it. This is of course all speculation. Lucy periodically has said the show was a strain and if you have seen any of the behind the scenes documentaries it was physically hard work for both women. With Lucy you add the strain of fronting the show and then you have fans sniping at you personally. So you get tired and you want it to end. Then on the other hand Lucy took great pride in the show and her husband who created the show that made her famous and wealthy. You also have made friends with your so-stars and the cast and you know you will miss them. So when the studio decides that your show should be canceled you get upset simply because no one likes to be told your services are no longer needed. Lucy probably had ambiguous feelings - there were days she hated Xena and days she loved Xena. She is human and inconsistant as we all are. Unfortunately every time she ruminates about this in public someone is keeping track of what she said when and whether it conflicts with what she said two years ago. I get the impression she is the type of person who goes with her gut on any given day and you get what she is feeling that day. It it doesn't jive with what she said last week it's because she felt differently last week. CherylA ========================================================= This has been a message to the chakram-refugees list. To unsubscribe, send a message to majordomo@smoe.org with "unsubscribe chakram-refugees" in the message body. Contact meth@smoe.org with any questions or problems. ========================================================= ------------------------------ End of chakram-refugees-digest V3 #73 *************************************