Questions from the Internet #1

This is part one of a couple different posts where I answer questions that have come up over the last year from different people who've emailed me. Now, I have answered these people privately, but I'm now just getting the question and responses up on the web.

How come the conventions are always held in January or February?

When Creation first started having conventions in 1998, it was customary to have them during the production hiatus which was in January because of TV syndication conventions usually held in either New Orleans or Las Vegas. It made sense, in order for the regular cast to attend, to have the conventions during this time. The only time which this was not the case was in 2001. The series was not in production anymore, so Creation moved the convention to May.

How come Creation charges so much for the Gold tickets?

I honestly don’t know. Compared to other venues (Twilight, Supernatural, or Stargate), the Xena conventions come in second only to the large Star Trek convention held in Las Vegas every year. But if you breakdown the costs of the individual autograph tickets, going Gold is cheaper.

How come Creation doesn’t have more Xena conventions?

Cost. That’s the main reason. In 2007, they had three conventions. The main in January, another in May in New York and a third in October in Chicago, and this was only done because Lucy was doing concerts at each of these cities. I don’t look for them to have additional conventions throughout the year for the foreseeable future.

What advice do you have for first-time convention goers?

Be watching for my guide that I put out every year. I’m currently working on revamping the guide and will launch an online version on the www.xwponline.net website later this year. The first thing that I can offer is respect other fans when guests are up on stage.

Are there any plans for additional sets of Xena to be released onto DVD?

I haven’t heard anything from my contacts about a possible re-release of the DVD sets. (Note: Season 1 was released in April 2010.) I’m not going to say no, but I’m not going to say yes. I honestly don’t know. The sales of the re-release were so-so, but considering the market was already cornered nine years ago with the Anchor Bay release, it would be hard for Universal to sell a product that’s been purchased by the largest potential audience. I’ll keep on it.

How come Universal didn’t have any extras?

Your guess is as good as mine. I can only say that perhaps because Universal just wanted to release the series out onto DVD that they didn’t care about extras, which have become a fixture on DVD releases nowadays. The extras that were put onto the Anchor Bay/Davis sets are owned by Davis Merchandising (aka, the official catalog, aka legendary heroes) and thus can’t be reissued.

Where can I download episodes?

I only answer with legal options. Try iTunes. You can also stream episodes from Netflix. Anything else can be found by simply searching the web. Please note, that by doing that you are infringing upon copyright and you can be prosecuted for it.

Any plans for additional soundtracks? Lucy CD?

Not to my knowledge. Sorry. As for Lucy, I haven’t heard anything about any upcoming CD.

What about the movie, got anything on the movie?

Nope. All I know is that the word from the man who would know (Rob Tapert) said earlier this year that the movie wasn’t going to happen. Contrary to comments from Lucy (which were blown out of proportion by wanna-be-entertainment-websites that use HACKS for writers), she is not hard-up for a movie. I think Lucy could care less at this point. (Meaning, if it happens with or without her is about the same as it not happening at all.)

Was there any mention of the movie at the 2010 convention?

Nothing was mentioned that I can recollect. I think fans have pretty much moved on.

Why isn’t Xena on TV anymore? LOGO would be perfect.

No network has purchased the license to air the series. Oxygen stopped airing the show because they’ve gone to a more Lifetime line-up (gag me with a spoon). While, LOGO would be a good spot (they’re airing Buffy), I think Universal wants to sell the syndication rights to the highest bidder.

Xena marathon

I've been on a Xena marathon the past couple of days. I've watched about 10 episode 3 days time. It's probably been six months, maybe even a year, since I've watched episode. Feels god.

Rob Tapert discusses the series finale to Xena: Warrior Princess

On the sixth season DVD set (Best Buy Version), there was a series of interviews that covered a lot of ground. All of the DVD release contained special cut footage from the episode interviews that were included on the set. My goal is to provide fans with a sampling of what was in those interviews.

Do not comment asking if I’ll post the entire interviews. What you see is what you go. No more. No Less. Once something is captured, I will not go back and capturing additional clips.
This is the last interview from that feature. (NOTE: this interviews are only available on the Best Buy version of the sixth season). Rob Tapert talks about the finale the decision to end it the way they did. I don't provide disclaimers for any vidoes that I post. Consider this your first and only warning.

To download this clip and more clips (note: I will not provide the complete feature) click here.

Stop with the downloads of full episodes

Some people have told me I really need to stay out of what other people do. For most part, I’ll agree. And I don’t really meddle in other people’s business. I only concern myself when it might have some sort of affect on me.

Case in point: websites that knowingly post links to websites that provide downloads of music, movies and television shows. In most cases, doing such a thing is illegal and if anything, will get you into a world of hurt. And it’ll affect other webmasters of fan websites.

Over the last several months, there is not a day that goes by when I don’t get an “alert” announcing that a new episode is available for download. Are you kidding me? Are these people this brain dead to think that they won’t get caught?

Seriously folks, I know that at one time or another, we’ve all engaged in a little bit of mischief online. When you want that episode that you missed and it’s not offered online legally, you scour the Internet looking for such things.

The reality is nowadays that studios, music labels, networks and the like actively pursue those who “steal.” Call me an alarmist, I’m just looking out for you. Telling you: stay away from those websites that give you free music or movies. They’re evil, I tell you.

“But Jenn, you offer video clips on website,” says the peanut gallery. Yes, I do. And yes, that is wrong. However, the difference between what I do and what other folks do, is that I don’t post the full episode. I’m skirting the line, maybe even jumping over it, but I don’t jump into the abyss. I’m careful. And if they want me remove, I will. Though, I won’t be quit about it. But I’ll comply with the request.

So, how do you know the place you’re downloading from is legit? If it ain’t Netflix or Amazon (concerning Xena episodes) then it’s more than likely (more likely that not) illegal and you need to stay away.

And if you don’t have the DVDs? Check eBay or buy them Amazon.com. I realize that costs money. But it’s a cheaper alternative then having to pay a $5,000 fine and sitting in jail. The DVDs for Xena and Hercules are getting rarer and rarer to find because they’re out of print from Anchor Bay (er, Starz Home Entertainment). You better get them now while you can.

With the internet, most network websites now provide the episodes of your favorite shows free of charge for viewing or you can purchase them iTunes or Amazon’s Unbox for a cool $1.99. So it’s $2 and some change after tax. So what? At least your legal.

So my charge to you folks is that if you think it’s a cool idea to offer full episodes for free, you better think again. Big brother is watching you. And he will get you. Eventually.

Favorite episode

What say you... what is your favorite episode (or episodes) from each season. Limit it to five per season.

Season 1
Sins of the Past
Callisto
The Greater Good

Season 2
Destiny
Return of Callisto
Ten Little Warlords
The Price

Season 3
One Against an Army
Been There, Done That
The Furies
Maternal Instincts

Season 4
Past Imperfect
A Good Day
In Sickness and In Hell
Crusader

Season 5
Motherhood
Looking Death in the Eye
Amphipolis Under Siege
Eve
Livia

Season 6
FIN 1 & 2
Path of Vengeance
Old Ares Had a Farm

NBC buys Oxgen for $925 million

Why it wouldn't be a good thing to move 'Xena' off of the Oh! Network

NBC Universal has purchased the Oxygen Network for a paltry $925 million. What does that spell for 'Xena' fans who watch the show on the network? Hopefully nothing.

A lot of fans are clamouring for the series to move over to the Sci-Fi, Bravo, or USA because those networks are in more homes, etc. What these fans fail to realize is that Oxygen has the rights until 2009.

But no only that, Oxygen doesn't edit the episodes. If it goes to Sci-Fi, USA, or Bravo be prepared to lose two to four minutes in each episode. That's right. Edited for time and content. Oxygen doesn't do that to our show.

So ask yourself now, do you want to keep the full episodes on Oxygen or do you want some jerk off in an editing lab deems inappropriate or waste. Think about it.

I posted about the purchase of Oxygen last week.

Six years later, where is the fandom...

Last Saturday (June 23) marked the sixth anniversary of the airing of "A Friend in Need" the series finale for 'Xena.' At the time, the fandom was still very contentious because of the ending.

That continued for the next couple of anniversaries. It has over the years, lessened and most people have seemed to have moved on with their lives. This year was different.

Xena Online Community was the only Xena board that actually two "FIN" discussions. I don't keep up with the mailing lists anymore (most of the talk is non-Xena anyways), so I can't speak for them. I can only speak of what I know.

So, once again, as I've did so many times after the finale aired:


Thank you Rob, R.J., Lucy, Renee and the rest of the cast and crew for a great finale and six years of worth of good television. Even though I joined midway through the fourth season, I feel like I've been with you all the way.