The Daily Telegraph 11 December 1997
Sydney Australia
7Days Entertainment Guide

Page 37 and 41

The Xena Philes
by Scott Ellis

As fearless Xena, the Warrior Princess, actor Lucy Lawless
has cut a swathe through the conventions of television 
popularity. She's the subject of great debate on the
internet, a hit with children and an object of desire for
red blooded men and women.

[Full size newspaper picture of Lucy as Xena with raised sword
and holding the chakram]

On screen, Xena: Warrior Princess battles men, monsters, the gods
- in short, shes pretty much unstoppable.

In real life, it's much the same. From humble beginnings as a minor
character in Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, Xena has become one
of the world's hottest products.

Aside from the TV series, there is a movie, cartoon, action figures,
trading cards, magazines, soundtrack CD, clothes, a university course
(truly, it's called Xena 101) and even a Xena ride at Universal
Studios.

She's become a pin-up for hormone-charged young boys, a role model
for young women, and a gay and lesbian icon.

It's a phenomenon which has taken everyone by surprise.

"When Xena was released, Universal just put it through with the 
standard crop of May screenings (the US off-season)" a Ten spokeswoman
said.

"No one was too enthusiastic, yet three years later it's gone crazy. In
Australia, people have taken to Xena like...well there's no comparison."

The spokeswoman said while programs such as Lois & Clark and Hercules
hav always attracted a specific audience, Xena has broken through to
other areas.

"Xena has struck a chord with so many people." she said "it's been huge
for us!"

Even the woman behind Xena, New Zealand-born actor Lucy Lawless, admits
it is a big overwhelming. 

"The show has branched out in so many ways that none of use could have 
predicted," Lawless said.

"All I can say is I'm thrilled and honoured by it's success, and I'm 
holding on white-knuckled, just trying to ride this tiger".

Riding a tiger is fairy accurate way to describe the fervour Xena ispires
in her followers.

In countless fanzines, clubs and on the internet, every aspect of the
Xenaverse (as it is known by devotees) is discussed.

there are Web sites to see Lawless in (and out of) her street-clothes
and Xena in what passes for her combat clothes. You can also hear her sing
in Yiddish and listen to her versions of the battle cry. There is also
the chance to discuss her private life - Lawless, a 29 year old mum, has
apparently just married a fellow Xena cast member.

[MaryD note: He got it right up until this part...oh well]

A typical Xena chat site will include dozens of opinions on why she is
without doubt, the most important woman on the planet.

"I think our show has appeal to the kind of people who enjoy spending
time in the cyberworld," Lawless said

"As for fan mail..."

Locally Ten received about a dozen letters a week addressed to either
Xena or Lawless. They are passed on to her publicist in Los Angeles
where someone - usually not Lawless - responds.

"A very limited amount actually gets to me," Lawless said.

"When the volume of mail became overwhelming it broke my heart not to be
able to respond. But it I handled it personally, I'd become Xena: 
Letter Writer, not Xena: Warrior Princess.

"People should also be aware that any gifts they send me will be forwarded
to a charity. I beg fans not to spend money on me."

Lawless would also probably beg some of her more fervent fans not to send
such bizarre offerings through the mail.

The worst, she recently told an American reporter, was a poster from
a fan's home porn video.

Undeniably, however, it's Xena's sexuality which contributes to the show's
popularity -- whether it be with teenagers or the growing lesbian fanbase.

"She's not becoming a lesbian icon, she's been one for years," said
Barbara Farrelly, editor of the Lesbians on the Loose magazine and
self confessed Xena fan.

"She's got a huge following in the US and we've always been a Xena 
fan club here".

Lawless has expressed surprise that people were throwning a "loopy
slant" on the program.

"Just because two women were travelling around with no visible means
of male support," she said.

One Web site which explores the theory contains soundbites from the
series. They include Xena and her off-sider, Gabrielle, uttering
lines such as "You are beautiful", "Gabrielle, you are a gift to me"
and "I'm coming out!".

"We kind of laughed and palyed along with it," Lawless said.

"I think the characters transcend labelling."

Perhaps but not merchandising.

Xena: Warrior Princess screens each Saturday on Ten at 7:30 pm

[Picture of Xena holding Chakram and fire behind with caption -
Queen of Merchandising... Lucy Lawless as the all conquering Xena:
Warrior Princess]