From: owner-chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org (chakram-refugees-digest) To: chakram-refugees-digest@smoe.org Subject: chakram-refugees-digest V4 #44 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 Wednesday, February 18 2004 Volume 04 : Number 044 Today's Subjects: ----------------- Re: OT Captioning, etc. (was Re: [chakram-refugees] Season 3 technical details) [cr ] Re: [chakram-refugees] Xener season 3 [KTL ] Re: [chakram-refugees] Quest [was: Punchlines] ["Jackie M. Young" ] Re: [chakram-refugees] Lucy on Ryan Seacrest [NZJester Subject: Re: OT Captioning, etc. (was Re: [chakram-refugees] Season 3 technical details) On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 18:35, IfeRae@aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 2/14/2004 3:36:31 PM Pacific Standard Time, > > cr@orcon.net.nz writes: > > > My understanding is that some features on cars (like cruise > > > control) were originally for drivers with physical disabilities. > > > > That sounds *extremely* dangerous to me. If a driver isn't capable of > > operating the controls in the normal way, what's (s)he going to do if > > it's on > > cruise control and an emergency happens? > > You know how you can increase and decrease speed from the steering wheel? > It's another feature that doesn't require your feet. I don't know that > it's more dangerous than when your gas pedal gets stuck or the breaks go > out. Having fully functioning legs won't help you then. > > -- Ife Actually, if I were to lose the brakes, I'd at least improve my chances by using my fully functioning legs to change down a couple of gears and use what engine braking I could. Also the handbrake. But that's off the point. I've heard of cars converted to hand control for disabled drivers, but they had perfectly functional throttle and brakes, operated by hand, nothing to do with cruise control so far as I know. Not that I've ever seen a car with cruise control, but I had the impression it could (and should) be overridden by applying the brakes when necessary. Hence my comment. cr ========================================================= 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: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:04:13 -0900 (AKST) From: KTL Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Ratings > I noticed some one mentioned Xena's drop in the ratings in season > three. Now I have nothing to really add to that except at that point > Xena was losing her prime time spots but she still managed ususally to > stay in the top twenty. If you look at syndicated ratings now there > are no syndicated action series in the top twenty. Even Andromedia > has dropped and they were doing very well when Xena was leading into > the show. Apparently Tribune really miscalculated when they abandoned > Xena for their own shows. > > CherylA Well, that was me, but it wasn't season three. I was talking about Season Four which was a more unpopular season than season three. Here's what I said: ________________________________ ...we get an indecisive, insecure, beatable up by anybody Warrior Princess, one who now asks strangers for advice, HELL, asks suspect ENEMIES for advice, a person who has lost all her surety, her confidence, and her trust and belief in herself. And many fans (me included) had MAJOR problems with this representation of the WP. It wasn't until The Way that the whole subtle sub-journey Xena was on became apparent. And THAT subtext made the season one fine piece of work, once every nuance of what was really happening came into focus. The insecure Xena and the apparent focusing on the sidekick's story led to the first serious drop in ratings the series had. For the first time EVER after the India arc, the ratings slipped to 3 something. A significant drop from the 6's and 5's of season 3. (Although 3 somethings is considered good ratings for a genre syndicated show.) End of prior quote _________________________________ Now what we have to keep in mind is that online fans have almost nothing to do with ratings. In all the years I've been online, on all the lists I hang on, I have seen maybe two people announce that they had been picked to be a Nielson family for the month. And this is something I think a lot of fans would mention, that they would be writing in XWP for that time slot, as these folks did. The ratings came from the great undifferentiated mass of viewers out there. Not from Xena fans per se. THOSE guys didn't like XWP so much that year. And even if we're specifically talking Xena fans, Rob has said a number of times that the typical Xena fan is defined as someone who watches maybe seven shows a year. That's not us! But yeah, my assumptions on why the ratings dropped that year did come from the online fans, because they are the only ones whose opinions I have access to. I remember a lot of frustration being expressed over season four. And I just have to wonder if when those "regular fans" drop in and see the main character not being the main character, are they going to continue to watch it when it's now a changed show? They certainly don't have the loyalty we have to the show. The focus on Gabrielle's peace walk was WAY different than what they expected to see when they tuned in. I don't think it was just coincidence that made the ratings drop that year. Now, among the obsessed Xena fans (THAT would be us) I have noticed that season four has been re-evaluated (as has just about every ep, if not scene, if not SHOT!) and has become more popular over the years. (Okay, we could do the obligatory season five joke and say it was a case of "Don't it always seem to go that you don't know what you got 'til it's gone", but of course, there's lots of us who like season five and always have. The GOOD ones of season five anyway.) And I think that's where most of us online fans are at now-we enjoy good eps no matter what year they ran in. And we enjoy the arcs that appeal to us and scoff and stomp at the arcs that don't, again without reference to their seasons. The themes of season four were daring and certainly original for a T&A action adventure show. And that is one thing I have always admired about Rob and crew and loved about XWP. How they ALWAYS pushed the envelope. Whether it worked out or not, you gotta give them credit for their daring. As RJ says in the season 3 commentary somewhere, you gotta shake up the show or you get stale. Everybody who works on serious shows does that. And always you wind up with some fans getting really upset over it. But I always wonder, if they HADN'T moved into deepening Xena's character, making her so much darker and so much more interesting, changing it, as I always say, from a parody of myths into becoming a new myth of its own, how long would XWP have lasted? How long would I have watched it and continued to be obsessed with it? I don't know. But I do know I'm VERY happy that we got what we got post season two instead of endless repetitions of the happy, charming, cheerful typical eps of seasons one and two. Season three made me no longer somewhat embarrassed to be a Xena fan. Gods bless PacRen for all their creativity and risk taking. Interestingly enough, even the re-runs of season four are the worst up to that point. All of the reruns for season four only hit 3 something, again down from the 5's and 4's of the reruns of season 3. But as I said in my original post, ratings of 3 something are considered very good for a genre syndicated show. As you say, they were moving XWP around on many stations. But that had been going on for a while, so I don't think that can be considered a significant factor for only season four ratings. They changed the time in Fairbanks during season two and then again in season three. But then they left it alone after that. KT ========================================================= 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: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 23:03:48 -0900 (AKST) From: KTL Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Xener season 3 > fsktl@aurora.uaf.edu writes: > > > There are more people listed on the credits, like Rob Field, but I haven't > > run across any commentary from them. Yet. >> > > I think he may only be on the bonus Sacrifice Retrospective piece. I've > watched all the commentaries now, and I don't recall him on any others. Well, I'm wondering if he didn't do the new editing for the set. The little bits that are shots from the ep when you click on the chakram to get the menu for each particular ep. I haven't gotten through them all yet either. But that may be what they're thanking him for in the credits. Ife wrote: > > My one caveat is that the commentaries seemed aimed at viewers who might not > be privy to some of the info obsessive fans are. E.g., Lucy talks about how > it's probably not her, if it's a shot from the back. There are other instances > where I've read/heard them make almost the same comments in other sources. Well, I don't have a problem with that. I figure again, it's a set for the general public. Even if EVERY online fan bought a set, that wouldn't make it a great success, I don't think. And there really are a LOT of new fans out there now, who haven't seen the fan kits and/or the tapes of the Lucy Interviews that so many of us have. For a lot of people, these sets may be the first XWP stuff they've bought. And I want LOTS of people to buy them so that they will continue to make these. So I don't have any problem with repeats myself. > Also, the bloopers (with perhaps a minor addition) are from a previous fan kit. > Well Sharon has talked about how there just weren't that many bloopers that we haven't seen yet that were funny enough to be included. I mean somebody just blowing a line--big deal right? (Except for things like Renee's classic mix up of the line to the guy in Two Muses, "Now you'll have your election", where she said instead, "Now you'll have your erection". And the guy giving a happy double thumbs up back.) There have been some bloopers from every year already, so I think they've already mined most of them. Unless Fields is sitting on some that he hasn't pulled out from the cut box yet. Someone suggested that they should include the original coming attractions for each ep. THAT would be very nice. I know of only one friend who has ALL of them on tape. And those would be fun to have, I think. KT > > -- 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: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 22:18:43 -1000 (HST) From: "Jackie M. Young" Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Quest [was: Punchlines] On Sun, 8 Feb 2004 22:59:47 -0900 (AKST), KTL wrote: CR said > > I think it goes to show that a large part of my attraction to the show >>is not only because of LL's acting skills, but because of the iconic >>nature of the character. I *loved* BC being X and ROC being X almost as much >>as I enjoyed LL being X. >> > > IMO, Quest was a well-written, well-acted ep that advanced the X > > chronicles and her mission in life. ;) >> > > I also liked Amphipolis Under Siege, which I know a lot of fans didn't > > like (especially for the tin-foil cossies ;=/ ). But I loved the > > Athena/Ares conflict and especially the *hot* scenes between >>Ares/X.....;)>> - --*Sorry*, KT, not to take away any glory or pomp from Thel (he's got a lot on his own ;) ), but them there's *my* words above, just FYI. ;) (Surprised you didn't recognize the "Jackie-style", per Ife. ;) ) JUST so Thel doesn't get blamed for anything I said, AND to set the record straight.....;P [BG] - --Jackie ****************************************************** * Proud to have the same birthday as Lucy Lawless! * * * * JACKIE YOUNG, JYOUNG@LAVA.NET * * * ****************************************************** ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 06:53:50 -0500 (EST) From: Sarah Anne Packard Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Lucy on Ryan Seacrest On Sun, 15 Feb 2004 IfeRae@aol.com wrote: > In a message dated 2/15/2004 12:07:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, > abbagirl@cyberspace.org writes: > > > Ryan Seacrest is the blonde guy who hosts "American Idol"... :) > > Well, I guess you can tell how much TV I watch. Heh, maybe he'll ask Lucy to > sing. Is he the Australian guy? Nope, he's American... :) -Sarah- ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 07:29:02 -0800 From: "Creation (Sharon Delaney)" Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Xener season 3 >> > There are more people listed on the credits, like Rob Field, but I haven't >> > run across any commentary from them. Yet. >> >> >> I think he may only be on the bonus Sacrifice Retrospective piece. I've >> watched all the commentaries now, and I don't recall him on any others. > > >Well, I'm wondering if he didn't do the new editing for the set. The >little bits that are shots from the ep when you click on the chakram to >get the menu for each particular ep. > >I haven't gotten through them all yet either. But that may be what they're >thanking him for in the credits. > >KT No, he wasn't the editor -- drat! He was interviewed for the Sacrifice retrospective and he does have a couple bits in there. Sharon ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 10:39:51 -0600 From: "Janice Stewart" Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Lucy on Ryan Seacrest I've never watched the show before, but here's the addy for his web site and it's got a neat little "Where to Watch" feature that you can use to look up the station and time it airs in your neck of the woods. http://ryanonair.com/ XWPacolyte Cupid and Psyche... Antony and Cleopatra... Xena and Gabrielle. - ----- Original Message ----- > Date: Sun, 15 Feb 2004 00:35:46 EST > From: IfeRae@aol.com > Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Lucy on Ryan Seacrest > > In a message dated 2/14/2004 2:32:24 PM Pacific Standard Time, > outback@creationent.com writes: > > > Lucy will be on "On Air with Ryan Seacrest" TV show, Friday, Feb. 20. It's > > channel 11 at 5:00pm in Los Angeles. Check your local listings for station > > and time in your area. > > > > Anybody ever watch this show or know what it's like? I never heard of him, > not that I'm terribly up on such things. > > - -- 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:14:34 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Quest [was: Punchlines] In a message dated 2/16/2004 2:26:16 AM Central Standard Time, jyoung@lava.net writes: > >>I also liked Amphipolis Under Siege, which I know a lot of fans didn't > >>like (especially for the tin-foil cossies ;=/ ). But I loved the > >>Athena/Ares conflict and especially the *hot* scenes between > >>Ares/X.....;)>> > > --*Sorry*, KT, not to take away any glory or pomp from Thel (he's got a > lot on his own ;) ), but them there's *my* words above, just FYI. ;) > (Surprised you didn't recognize the "Jackie-style", per Ife. ;) ) > LOL! Not everyone is a connoisseur like moi. I suppose that comes from arguing back and forth with SOME folks more than others. - -- 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:14:32 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Xener season 3 In a message dated 2/16/2004 9:37:33 AM Central Standard Time, outback@creationent.com writes: > He was interviewed for the Sacrifice retrospective and he does have a > couple bits in there. > Yes, I remember mentioning Rob Field in my first note about the commentaries. I didn't have the bonus version at the time, so it must be on the Sacrifice material available on all versions. I do agree especially with cr about production aspects when it comes to hearing from the film editors, as they influence a lot just by the way they put bits of film together. They have to have a sense of the story being told -- what's important to conveying that story. Field in particular seemed to "get" a lot from the very start. That opening sequence they used for so long was brilliant. All he had for material was the Herc trilogy and the first four or so Xena eps. I understand he wrote the words for it too. I love the way you hear "needed a hero," the camera pans up Xena's body and finally shows her face when it says, "and she" was Xena. There's even a good emphasis on Gabrielle, even though at the time TPTB didn't know how pivotal the character would become. It's interesting that the studio was afraid the way the scenes were put together would make it look like Xena might be looking seductively at Gabs instead of Draco. I've always thought Field wanted to communicate some kind of bond between X&G, even though most of the scenes are of action sequences. I know fans who attend cons say that Field gives a lot of insights into how he used subtler aspects (e.g., shots of glances, touches) to add "heart" and build on the chemistry between LL and ROC. Many fans think that's something they saw automatically, but I think the way scenes got put together may have contributed more than we're aware. Maybe there's an ep from S4 that Field and Pryor could talk about in terms of how they chose scenes -- not just for technical reasons, but to advance the story. - -- 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:14:38 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: [chakram-refugees] Re: OT Cars (Was Captioning, etc. ) In a message dated 2/16/2004 12:47:30 AM Central Standard Time, cr@orcon.net.nz writes: > Actually, if I were to lose the brakes, I'd at least improve my chances by > using my fully functioning legs to change down a couple of gears and use > what > engine braking I could. Also the handbrake. But that's off the point. > > > With automatic tranny, we can use our hands to shift. And the handbrake. > Not that I've ever seen a car with cruise control, but I had the > impression > it could (and should) be overridden by applying the brakes when necessary. > Hence my comment. >> Yep, it's simply a button to allow you maintain the same speed without keeping your foot on the gas pedal. It's easy to cancel with the push of a finger, or touching the brake or gas pedal. You can also increase or decrease the speed during cruise control, with the push of a button. If you're used to stick shifts, I can see why you're confused and concerned. It hadn't occurred to me that maybe cruise control might not even come with stick shifts. - -- 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 17:14:36 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Xener season 3 In a message dated 2/16/2004 2:07:25 AM Central Standard Time, fsktl@aurora.uaf.edu writes: > Someone suggested that they should include the original coming attractions > for each ep. THAT would be very nice. I know of only one friend who has > ALL of them on tape. And those would be fun to have, I think. > Oh, yes! Excellent idea. That's a main reason I still have my old VHS tapes. I remember the promo for Intimate Stranger. It had a scene of Cally with vines grabbing her that didn't appear in the aired ep, which got changed because of Lucy's accident. I also wonder if different promos got aired in different markets -- maybe cut for time or censorship considerations. I haven't compared original promos with those that aired on USA, but I sometimes think there were differences. ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 21:14:17 -0500 From: meredith Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Re: OT Cars (Was Captioning, etc. ) Hi, (Most ... off-topic ... thread ... EVER ... ;) Ife remarked: >It hadn't occurred to me >that maybe cruise control might not even come with stick shifts. My manual transmission ("stick shift") VW Beetle has cruise control. It only works in 5th gear, though. Just for the record. :) =============================================== Meredith Tarr New Haven, CT USA mailto:meth@smoe.org http://www.smoe.org/meth =============================================== Live At The House O'Muzak House Concert Series http://muzak.smoe.org =============================================== ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 22:25:45 -0500 From: "Cheryl Ande" Subject: [chakram-refugees] Ryan Seacrest I believe his main claim to fame is being the host of American Idol. I saw just a bit of his show today and another actress from Eurotrip on (the one who played Dawn, Buffy's sister). I suspect his show is owned by or is affliated with Dreamworks or the studio that is distributing Eurotrip. Also his show appears to be aimed at teen-agers so it makes sense he would be promoting a teen flick. 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. ========================================================= ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 17:41:34 +1300 From: NZJester Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Lucy on Ryan Seacrest At 10:39 am 16/02/2004 -0600, Janice Stewart wrote: >I've never watched the show before, but here's the addy for his web site and >it's got a neat little "Where to Watch" feature that you can use to look up >the station and time it airs in your neck of the woods. > >http://ryanonair.com/ > >XWPacolyte I checked his celebrities directory Lucy is the only one with no photo - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Catch ya later NZJester - -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- ========================================================= 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: Mon, 16 Feb 2004 23:51:33 EST From: Junejanu@aol.com Subject: [chakram-refugees] Melinda Clarke on Craig Kilborn 'Veslasca' is scheduled to be on the Late Late Show Tues AM - after the Letterman Show. June ========================================================= 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:27:46 EST From: Junejanu@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Ryan Seacrest Looks like it doesn't pay to be out of the public's eye for a few years. Once it was Regis & Kathie Lee, Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien, now it's Jimmy Kimmel and Ryan Seacrest. Who probably have a combined rating of .15. June ========================================================= 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 00:17:44 -0900 (AKST) From: KTL Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Quest [was: Punchlines] > --*Sorry*, KT, not to take away any glory or pomp from Thel (he's got a > lot on his own ;) ), but them there's *my* words above, just FYI. ;) > (Surprised you didn't recognize the "Jackie-style", per Ife. ;) ) > > JUST so Thel doesn't get blamed for anything I said, AND to set the > record straight.....;P [BG] > > > --Jackie Thel already disowned them, Chicky! I don't even remember what MY reply was, never mind anybody else's. But I do thank both of you for the correction--my bad. I'll try to be more careful in the future in corralling out the carrots to properly credit the correct declaimer. That's what I get for replying too soon. ;-> KT ========================================================= 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 20:37:12 +1300 From: cr Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Re: OT Cars (Was Captioning, etc. ) On Tue, 17 Feb 2004 11:14, IfeRae@aol.com wrote: > > Not that I've ever seen a car with cruise control, but I had the > > impression > > it could (and should) be overridden by applying the brakes when > > necessary. Hence my comment. >> > > Yep, it's simply a button to allow you maintain the same speed without > keeping your foot on the gas pedal. It's easy to cancel with the push of a > finger, or touching the brake or gas pedal. You can also increase or > decrease the speed during cruise control, with the push of a button. If > you're used to stick shifts, I can see why you're confused and concerned. > It hadn't occurred to me that maybe cruise control might not even come with > stick shifts. > > -- Ife Umm, I'd better clarify (before I drop this thread as too OT) - you quoted cruise control as something originally developed for disabled drivers. I don't think cruise control could ever be a substitute for proper disabled driver hand controls. cr ========================================================= 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 18:39:25 EST From: IfeRae@aol.com Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Re: OT Cars (Was Captioning, etc. ) In a message dated 2/17/2004 9:18:34 AM Central Standard Time, cr@orcon.net.nz writes: > Umm, I'd better clarify (before I drop this thread as too OT) - you quoted > cruise control as something originally developed for disabled drivers. I > don't think cruise control could ever be a substitute for proper disabled > driver hand controls. > > Arghhh! I meant hand-controlled operations which previously depended on the lower exremities -- like increasing/decreasing/maintaining speed without using the gas pedal. Cruise control was just the first example that popped into my head of a convenience that *may* have begun with or evolved from vehicles originally designed for the disabled. It is *not* a substitute for *all* operations. Okay? Whew! - -- 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 21:54:11 -0500 (EST) From: cjlnh@webtv.net (Cheryl LaScola) Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Ratings Just a couple of comments to follow up on KT's post. The question of whether TPTB decision to take chances in Season 4 resulted in some loyal fans becoming less interested, thus the drop in ratings. Some fans were also late comers. I had never seen (or heard of) the show until I stumbled on it in the 1st set of reruns in Season 4 (luckily hitting Sin Trade 1st). I was not sure what was going on for a while because I soon discovered XWP was also shown nightly on USA (S1-3). I finally found the internet and all became clear. So, I went on a fast forward trip through seasons 1-3 nightly while still catching S4 once a week. Ironically it was the complex human dilemmas that hooked me on the show and as a result found S1 and S2 enjoyable but not riveting. Watching once a week, S4 had me riveted and waiting anxiously for what happens next. The point to all of this is ratings are what they are, but I would bet many more XWP fans were made in S4 than walked away. I would also argue that the moving of XWP timeslots like a pinball was also a big issue. Once it moved out of the 7 pm time slot to Saturday afternoons I am sure they lost many viewers (the fair whether fans who likely make up the ratings base). As for Xena's becoming a beatable by anyone warrior, I beg to differ. In the early ep, "Family Affair" Xena says to Gabrielle....(not exact words) "I am searching for answers too, but I know it will be easier if we find them together". My point is that from the beginning of the season we were told that both X&G were on a spiritual quest to find their path. Sometimes even the most confident and strong leaders go through a stage of self doubt. Xena discovered at the end of S3 just how much the Bard meant to her and I think it was natural (and human) for Xena to be distracted by things like the vision, worrying not only if she could protect G, but also care for Gabrielle's soul and the effect her dark side had on her. The fact that Xena was not always a comic book hero like Superman was what made her special.... she had flaws and sometimes took it on the chin, keeping us wondering how the journey would end. She may have lost some battles, but never the endgame. Enough rambling from me Cheryl ========================================================= 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: Tue, 17 Feb 2004 22:03:45 -0500 (EST) From: cjlnh@webtv.net (Cheryl LaScola) Subject: Re: [chakram-refugees] Ryan Seacrest Re: LL TV appearances vs in her prime (Leno etc) Well Kimmel may not be my cup of tea, but I think it has quite a following. Also, I had my TV on mute but I saw LL's face flash in the previews for Entertainment Tonight (tomorrow's show). They have a big following I know. The trouble with TV Talk shows is that unless you have something to promote they pretty much ignore you no matter who you are (for the most part). ========================================================= 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 V4 #44 *************************************