INFORMATION
INDEX
This XAC Index is a collection of selected posts to the XAC list.
It is presented to provide a point of reference for persons seeking information about the movement to combat censorship of Xena Warrior Princess.
At present there are emails from the 6 through 29 April 1999.
Complied by JacQuest
28 Apr 1999
Another Universe, an online store that specializes in Fantasy and Sci-Fi collectibles, posted the following news item in their "Daily Buzz" column of the online "Mania Magazine" after I wrote informing them of our efforts to reinstate The Way. They also publish very good synopses of the episodes in their Xena World section. Check them out. They are very interested in our campaign, and want to be kept abreast of what is happening. They also have a good selection of Xenabilia. The article can be found at http://www.anotheruniverse.com/mania/ under the headline XENA FANS FIGHT FOR "THE WAY".
Shirl (a.k.a. Sidekick)
NutBread Brigade
ICQ #1534091
"Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have."
Xena Fans Fight For "The Way"
Petitions to reinstate the controversial Xena episode "The Way" have
reportedly been signed by thousands of fans. StudiosUSA pulled the
episode after the protests of Hindu groups which objected to its
portrayal of Krishna.
For the "Xenites Against Censorship" it comes down to a censorship
issue on freedom of speech and artistic expression, according to one
member. Interested parties can visit
http://www.tsoft.com/~cmwilson/ProtestCensorship.html or
http://www.xenamedia.com/xac/.
Be sure to stop by our World of Xena for the latest articles and
merchandise from the fantasy realm!
Shirl (a.k.a. Sidekick)
NutBread Brigade
ICQ #1534091
"Support bacteria - they're the only culture some people have."
27 Apr 1999
From: JWalker889@aol.com
I just hate it when non/viewers of XWP publish their opinion. Geez....and I
sent her to the best sources I could think of too. Sorry, Becky..Kit
JoAnn
Dear Friends and List mates,
here is my partner's column on The WAy- Controversy. The opinions
herein are sometimes mine but totally her's and she welcome's discussion at
her work email address at bottom. And so for THE GREATER GOOD here it is.
This is at Philly.com-click Daily News -click opinion scroll down to Deb
Woodell
Was pulling 'Xena' episode censorship? No 'Way'
True confession: I love the long version of Dire Straits' "Money for
Nothing." I'm listening to it now, in fact.
Sure, I squirm at the lines about "the little faggot." But not much more
than when I recall that band leader Mark Knopfler edited the song for
radio airplay after protests from gay people.
I would have preferred he let the song stand or fall strictly on its own
artistic merits. Ultimately, though, the song was his. He can do with it
what he chooses, and he chose to remove the offensive part. He realized
he was wrong.
Director Stanley Kubrick pulled "A Clockwork Orange" from viewing in
England after being horrified at the violence it spawned.
Likewise, Studios USA, distributor of the television show "Xena: Warrior
Princess," has every right to pull a controversial episode that some
people of the Hindu faith have called offensive. These Hindus claim "The
Way," which aired in February, fictionalized their deity Krishna, and
further stained him because, by his actions, he endorsed the "lesbian
lifestyle" of the two main characters, Xena and Gabrielle (never mind
the continued denials from the makers that the two are lovers).
Fans of the show - Xenites - are crying "censorship" and circulating
petitions worldwide. They say the protests are the work of a fringe
group of fundamentalists, and are filling fax machines, e-mail boxes and
even snail-mail boxes with demands for the show's return.
Taking away the show might be cowardice and it might be a bottom-line
mentality, but it's not censorship. No government is beating down the
door and confiscating the offensive material. This is not Oscar Wilde on
trial for obscenity. This is not even your mom taking your copy of
Playboy.
It looks from here as if, more than anything, the show's makers rushed
so quickly to get this episode out of circulation just to make this
lesbian thing go away again.
You can't have it both ways, folks: You can't keep throwing in all those
double entendres and alleged subtext and then cry "friendship" when the
subject comes up. You all have become a big tease. Makes me glad I don't
watch.
But what if they actually grew a conscience? What happened to giving
someone the benefit of the doubt? What makes it OK to offend Hindus, at
the expense of appeasing lesbians?
And let's understand something else: This episode isn't going away. A
cottage industry is out there of people who videotape every episode and
make copies for distribution among friends and fans around the world.
I'm sure the ranks are swelling over this latest go-round. I even read
an Internet posting that someone is getting space at a library to show
"The Way."
So much for "censorship" then. This episode will live on, either in its
current (now bootlegged) form, or perhaps in re-edited form, as the
makers have hinted.
In an ideal world, the TV show, like that Dire Straits song, would be
left untouched and allowed to take its natural place in the artistic
world. But I don't mind settling for a world in which a creator realizes
something might be offensive and tries to correct things.
A world in which he admits he didn't realize his own insensitivity and
admits he made a mistake. The creation, after all, belongs ultimately to
the creator.
And outsiders trying to control art, no matter what their intent, is a
kind of censorship, too.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Debbie Woodell is a Daily News sports desk editor. Her column appears
here every other Tuesday. Send e-mail to woodeld@phillynews.com
25 Apr 1999
Here is some information I just received from a friend. This is the
kind of thing that we need to be aware of in our effort to combat censorship
of not only The Way, but other future Xena shows.
A comment was made to me recently about XAC and all our efforts.
XAC was seen as just a one topic list and would fade away or die
from apathy. Other people are of the opinion that the protest is no
big deal, but this newest attack, brings it home again. There is more
at stake here than just "The Way."
--------------------------------------------------------------
"here is an article that was in the london free press april
23, 1999. new pl, new vr, city tv are all owned by the same
company .. my fear is that if a decision is made against the
show, we will be getting edited episodes .. new pl is already
responding to this by setting up a poll in which your opinion
can be offered .. it can be found at
with the question: xena and hercules are these shows too hot
for ontario?
we need to say something now before this goes much further.
our support is needed at this stage. xena is already
rated as pg 14 .. i don't want it edited or taken off the air.
now for the newspaper article itself ..
------
By Sandra Coulson
Free Press Arts
&,Entertainment Reporter
A self-regulating body for the broadcast industry has moved ahead
on a London father's complaint that the Xena and Hercules television
series are too violent and sexual.
Fred Janzen complained to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council
(CBSC) about episodes he saw on CFPL-TV in February
The CBSC could have dismissed Janzen's complaint at an early review
stage. Instead, the complaint win go to the CBSC's Ontario regional
council for a ruling.
CBSC chairperson Ron Cohen said complaints are dismissed at an early
stage for only a few reasons, such as that the complaint is too similar
to one previously dealt with by the council or that the viewer is
harassing the broadcaster.
Janzen said he has had support from others, especially those to whom he
describes a scene from Xena in which a woman is crucified. He added he
is sending out petition forms that he wants to forward to the CBSC.
CFPL-TV program director Don Mumford said the station believes the Xena
and Hercules shows are suitable for the audience they are aimed at. The
station places a logo in the corner of the TV screen to signal to viewers
that the shows are rated for parental guidance.
"We're very sensitive to the needs of the market and the hours of
programming," he said.
Mumford said since news of Janzen's complaint broke, the station has
received four letters of support from viewers. Mumford said the
supporting viewers prefer the current system of on-air ratings and are
concerned that one person's complaint could deny the access to a program
they consider acceptable.
Other broadcasters have had to edit shows that the CBSC has decided
violate broadcasters' voluntary codes of conduct on violence, sex-role
portrayal, ethics and journalistic ethics.
Linda Baker, assistant director of Family Court Clinic, praised Janzen's
involvement in the issue. Baker and thers working in children's services
are promoting Media Violence Awareness Week this week.
"One wants to applaud any initiative on the part of parents to raise
awareness of this," she said.
Baker said she and her husband don't ban TV shows in their house, but
they have discussed the violence, sex-role portrayal and overall reality
of Xena with their 11-year-old son.
A representative of the show's producers in Los Angeles refused to
comment on a single complaint.
Cohen said the council doesn't hold formal hearings like a court or public
inquiry. "We don't want to be user-difficult," he said. "From the point
of view of viewers and listeners, we don't want them to thing that they
have to make solid legal argument."
Today editor for the London Free Press is:
Barbara Taylor: btaylor@lfpress.com
---------------------------------------
XAC will gain strength by supporting others who love XWP and
are fighting censorship.
Thanks,
Jacquee
XAC Information Index
For fun and food visit
The Ultimate Xena Cookbook
17 Apr 1999
From: Charmer <purple.logic@virgin.net>
It sounds like Sky never got the master of 'The Way' before it was
pulled and it won't get shown here in the UK. At the end of 'Between the
Lines' just now the announcer said rather sarcasticly:
"Well, for reasons beyond our control the plot takes a bit of a jump
next week, so fill in the blanks with your own outrageous plot-twists if
you like."
They don't sound like they approve of the decision, do they?
--
Cathy
14 Apr 1999
From: LaoMo101@aol.com
Hi folks,
Just called SKY to see what the ep for this week was as they have been
showing a promo for '....Miss Amphipolis'... it is as should be 'Between the
Lines' so while talking to the very nice guy I asked him what the following
weeks ep was...
and he said.. 'The Plays the Thing'.. that they had received a memo telling
them that the episode had been pulled from worldwide airing shedules. He
apologised to all the fans of the show but there was nothing they could do
about it at this time.
Anyone wanting to call them about it can get them at SKY Viewers enquiries..
0171 705 3000
For any UK fans who have VCR's that can play NTSC I will be getting the tape
of the episode in the next week hopefully.. I can't copy it but anyone who
would like to see it is welcome to borrow it.
Sorry folks :(
Mo
12 Apr 1999
From: GablvsXena@aol.com
I sent an email to the Philadelphia affiliate that airs Xena. Here is the
response that I received from them today.....
***********************************
The distributor of XENA is Studios USA. I received a letter from them
letting us know that they have temporarily withdrawn the episode. I have no
further information regarding this decision.
If you wish, you may contact Studios USA at the following address:
8800 West Sunset Blvd., Second Floor
West Hollywood, CA 90069
Thank you for your support and for watching WB 17.
Joan Boyce
Program Manager
WB 17
From: "D W" <darkworrior@chickmail.com>
Here's a nice, short, basic, no-nonsense general reply from Variety... although I was pleased to see that it wasn't machine-generated, this at least means they're reading their email...
~DW
--------- Forwarded Message ---------
DATE: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:29:54
From: "Web, Comments (Cahners)" <comments@variety.cahners.com>
To: 'D W' <darkworrior@chickmail.com>
Stephanie,
Thank you for taking the time to submit your comments. We hope you will
continue to look to Variety for the entertainment industry headlines.
Sincerely,
Variety
From: Kbdax@aol.com
I don't know if anyone mentioned this yet, but in the latest issue of
entertainment weekly the Way controversy is mentioned
Xena is a "loser of the week" in the tv section.
the accompanying paragraph just states that the producers pulled the show due
to pressure from hindu protesters.
kb
8 Apr 1999
Any UK fans out there who are expecting to get the episode "THE WAY" are in for a shock, me included because it's just hit me!...
Sky1 have been censoring every other episode since the first season... I know this as I've been watching them on Channel 5 (Who are 2 seasons behind) because of the cool Voiceover guy who loves our Gabby!...
But on Channel 5 the episodes are shown in their full US glory... Sky are classing XWP as a children's program! (words from a recent enquiry of mine) and feel the need to cut the episodes of any material which they deem unsuitable.
A Very Stressed,
Dave
7 Apr 1999
From: LaoMo101@aol.com
Hi folks,
Well I just got off the phone with viewers enquiries at 'SKY' and as of this
morning they are still showing 'The Way' on April 24th as scheduled at 7pm.
I explained to them why I was asking about it and they said they knew nothing
of the problems it had caused in the States and as far as they were concerned
it would still be shown..BUT.. to check with them nearer the time as things
may change. So I will be calling them every week as I usually do !!
If any of you wish to do the same call Viewers Enquiries at.. 0171 705 3000.
I did warn them that if they did plan on pulling it from the schedule they
would be inundated with calls of protest !! Lets hope we don't have to : )
Battle on Xenites.
Mo
6 Apr 1999
Subj: [XAC] Who really pulled "The Way"
Date: 4/6/99 5:28:17 PM Mountain Daylight Time
From: lostkiwi@worldnet.att.net (Becky Calvert)
Reply-to: XAC@onelist.com
To: xenaverse@mlists.com, xenahercgueststars@onelist.com, xac@onelist.com (XAC), sonofabacchae@onelist.com, nutbread@MyList.net (nutbread), herc-xena@mythicalworlds.com, deb@cyberaction.com (Deborah Seidman), CenterforXenaStudies@onelist.com (Center for Xena Studies)
Dear Xenites,
I have come across some info you might be interested in concerning the
pulling of "The Way".
It seems that Renaissance Pictures, Rob Tapert, RJ Stewart, nor anyone else
connected with the program had any say in this decision and that USA
studios was forced to pull the episode by the AFFILIATE STATIONS!!!!!
It appears that the Hindu organizations mobilized thier numbers and
deludged many affiliate stations with tons of Faxes, e-mails, and phone
calls. Not just a few random notes, some affiliates recieved over 200
messages a day. As far as I know the picketing was confined to LA.
In light of this new information, we now have a target and starting point
to try and express our concerns and to attempt to get "The Way" reinstated.
It would appear that if targeting the local affiliates worked for this
small group of individuals, the same strategy could be employed by the
Xenaverse.
With the number of people we have, we could well exceed 200 messages a day
and let the affiliates know that we comprise a much larger portion of their
viewing audience than those they capitulated to. All we have to do is start
an e-mail, snail mail, fax, telephone campaigne to all our local
affiliates. (Remember back in the "Old Days" when a mail campaigne kept
Star Trek on the air?)
With everyone pitching in we could really put some serious hurt on their
budgets--not to mention thier fax/phone/mail/ and e-mail systems.
It might also be helpful to send copies of everything to USA Studios, to
the attention of:
Jim Benson
Studios USA
8800 Sunset Blvd.
W. Hollywood, CA 90069
We need to inform the local affiliates just exactly WHO is watching their
station, WHAT we want to watch, HOW MANY of us there are, and that we are
seriously concerned about the way they are making decisions regarding what
is or is not viewable or offensive to thier audience. The affiliates are
not "Big Brother". I don't believe that they need to watch out for us or
make our viewing decisions. I, for one, know how to turn the channel.
Freedom of speech and expression is a two way street--it is time to get the
traffic moving!!!
BATTLE ON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Becky Calvert
Commander in Chief
SSPA/NBB
15 APR 1999
From: LaoMo101@aol.com
Hi folks,
Just called SKY to see what the ep for this week was as they have been
showing a promo for '....Miss Amphipolis'... it is as should be 'Between the
Lines' so while talking to the very nice guy I asked him what the following
weeks ep was...
and he said.. 'The Plays the Thing'.. that they had received a memo telling
them that the episode had been pulled from worldwide airing shedules. He
apologised to all the fans of the show but there was nothing they could do
about it at this time.
Anyone wanting to call them about it can get them at SKY Viewers enquiries..
0171 705 3000
For any UK fans who have VCR's that can play NTSC I will be getting the tape
of the episode in the next week hopefully.. I can't copy it but anyone who
would like to see it is welcome to borrow it.
Sorry folks :(
Mo
From: Terri Parkinson <tparkinson@masterpack.com.au>
Wow - I've just signed the Hindu Protest book - some of the letters in there
are fabulous !! I'm proud to be associated with such eloquence !! It's
nice to see too that very few people have been nasty - in fact there seems
to be more love and understanding from the Xenites than those protesting.
Battle On!
Terri