Many thanks to Holly for the transcript

Austin American Statesman

23 June 2001

The Warrior Princess's Departure Leaves TV
Without a Reigning Superheroine

By Marc Schwarz

The final two episodes of "Xena:Warrior Princess" air today at 7 p.m. on KNVA Channel 54.

That probably evokes one of two reactions: "That's still on the air?" Or... "How can I go on now that my Saturday nights are ruined?"

The real question should be: Who will fill the rare role of female superhero?

Male superheroes on TV are a dime a dozen. There's been "Superman", "Batman", and "The Incredible Hulk". On the female side, the list doesn't roll off the tongue.

Since its debut in September 1995 "Xena" has been the standard-bearer. She was bad when audiences were first introduced to her on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys". She repented and vowed to change her ways - probably because she knew it would entice a spinoff series.

It worked. "Xena" quickly became more popular than "Hercules". Lucy Lawless morphed from a New Zealand native whose previous claim to fame was co-hosting a travel show to a pop culture icon. And "Xena", one of the top-rated syndicated dramas throughout its domestic run, is seen in more than 100 countries.

"Xena" followed the exploits of the warrior princess and her trusty companion Gabrielle (Renee O'Connor) as they traveled around the countryside helping those in trouble. This usually entailed sword-wielding, karate kicking and general mayhem.

Surprisingly, this was a tough sell, according to co-executive producer Rob Tapert. Tapert, who married Lawless in March 1998, told the associated press about trying to pitch the series.

"We were at Universal and (executive) Sid Sheinberg said, 'Look, I was a big champion of "Bionic Woman" but it was never very successful, so I have this fear people won't watch women action heroes.' " Tapert recalled.

The fear now is being overwhelmed by "Xena"-wannabes.

You'll find Tia Carrere as an unorthodox professor-explorer in "The Relic Hunter", Geena Lee Nolin as "part animal, part legend, all woman" in "Sheena", and Tessie Santiago as a female Zorro in "Queen of Swords."

But the best bet to fill Xena's shoes is Yancy Butler in TNT's new series, "Witchblade."

She plays a New York detective who slips on a glowy bracelet, passed on through the ages, and can fly through the air on a motorcycle, flick away bullets, and withstand a flame-thrower. A superheroine for the new millennium.

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