Frienz/Issues 11-12
| Related terms: | |
| See also: | Frienz |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Frienz is a gen and non-explicit slash Starsky & Hutch letterzine.
They contain letters, want ads, con reports, clippings, flyers, and occasional fiction.
Issue 11 (September 1990)
Frienz 11 was published in September 1990 and contains 20 pages.
- a review of Bonaventure, see that page
- subscriber stats: there are 35 US members and 21 UK members
- TOTM: Zcon—does it still mean S&H? Do we need it as a fandom? TAG SCENES—your favorites.
Issue 11: Sample Fan Comments
The editor writes:
I am unable to personally answer correspondence from you due to time limitations. As some of you know, I owe you letters dating back to 1976. I am sorry about this because I do enjoy talking to you. I can, however, answer you in these pages and will always reply to any correspondence regarding the lz. Also, in any letters requiring a reply please SASE.
A fan gives a brief history of the beginnings of SH fandom:
I think I can provide some of that historical perspective. The fandom was born several years before 2'Con (5-79). At ST America in 9-76, the editors of Rigel, Carol Ann Lee and Vicki James, were urging ST fans to watch S&H. By 5-77, at SeKWesterCon Too, there was already an S&H room. One night I watched S&H off-TV slides there with Lorraine Bartlett, etc. Connie Faddis might have been one of the etc., as she'd gotten hooked on the show in early Dec. of '76. I don't know about Teri White. The "others" probably included Laurie Haldeman. There were also S&H rooms at ST Philadelphia (7-77) and T'Con (3-78).
Lack of feedback:
A new fan wants to know something:
Does anyone know if the majority of S&H fans are straight or slash? I would dare to guess straight, although I know S&H as a series was considered "a slash lover's dream" by many. I ask because straight S&H fiction is now much rarer than slash. What is the main reason for this?
Regarding the letterzine's future content:
On the question of 'G' or 'R' rating for FRIENZ -- after mature consideration, I'll comedown on the side of the 'G'. That shouldn't mean the subject cannot be discussed, of course. I am very much against unnecessary censorship. But let's exercise taste and tact. And Pat, as editor, still has the final say-so. After all, when S/H is 'all that's being written' (Is it? I hope not!) we do need a non-S/H forum to discuss the other stuff. Oh, you know -- the police work they have to do occasionally? The ideas that got us into this fandom originally? Speaking personally, the premise of S/H didn't rear it's head until we'd knocked off a round dozen of the 'straight' stories—but that was before we knew about fandom, anyway.
A fan makes the rare distinction that slash does not equal explicit material:
I do have a complaint, & this applies to everyone who has been equating "/" with X-rated. I'm totally in favor of keeping "Frienz" a G-rated zine. But G-rated & straight are not the same thing. If a straight story where in the only sex is one of the guys kissing his girlfriend is acceptable, then a slash story where the only sex is S&H kissing each other should also be acceptable. Homosexuality is not in & of itself X-rated, & I'm sorry but I resent the implication that it is.
About ZebraCon from a fan in the UK:
...it does strike me as more than a little strange that the editor of a S&H l'zine is unable to book for ZCon '91, having applied so far in advance. Pat, I can understand your bemusement, I don't know the extent of S&H fandom over there, but 175 already booked up? Where are they all when it comes to other S&H activities? Like writing to, or participating in, l'zines, for instance. In a way, it ties in with what we have been saying about the size of S&H fandom. Is ZCon now multimedia, rather than just S&H?
About cons:
SHARECON sounds wonderful. A whole weekend of undiluted SH—definitely my kind of scene. And the SHARECON zine last March - 'Wanna Share?' - is a delight. Love it. October promises to be a high point for SH with three CONS planned: SHARECON and REUNION CON and ZIRCON. There's plenty of evidence that SH fandom is light years away from being moribund - or 'slack' or 'pathetic' ... all words I've known to be used for it, but not compatible with my own experience or, it seems, with many other fans'.
Regarding ZebraCon:
Having attended the last 4 Z-Cons, I can say I've enjoyed myself less at each one. I appreciate all the work Karen and Jean put into the gathering, but S&H seems to have become just a side attraction. Yes, there are S&H panels and the same amount of S&H episodes as Pros shows, but S&H fans are the minority at Z-Con (originally conceived as an S&H-only con), and I've felt less enthusiastic about being there every year.I'm not implying that this is a result of conscious, deliberate intentions on the hosts' parts, but neither is it a figment of my imagination, for the past 2 Z-Cons have found more than a dozen of us grumbling about feeling snubbed and lack of worthy programming and discussing alternate gatherings for S&H fans — which led to the creation of the wonderful SHare Cons. Much as I enjoy participating in panels, the trivia contest, Pat's plays and always relish time spent with fellow S&H fans, I've decided I won't be attending Z-Con in 1991. [April Valentine] made a valid point in a phone call to me in July, that S&H fandom will suffer more at Z-Con if less fans turn out for the gathering, but I think suburban Chicago is too far to go, for too much money, for so little S&H.
So the APA won't be represented next year, either. I'd much rather take a train to MD or VA for an all-S&H weekend twice a year. I hope everyone attending the next Z-Con has a marvelous time. I'll be thinking of you all and hope to see a number of you in October for SHare Con.
Regarding ZebraCon:
Okay, it's as much PROFS as SH these days, but I'll still go as often as I can. Because - yes, it has to be the people. It's about my only chance to meet so many fans at one time and in one place. Sure, SHare Con and it's ilk are a great idea, but how many purely SH fans are there? Enough to make a SH-only con a viable proposition? Used to be so but is it still? ZirCon over here in late October, is a mixed Con.The little affairs, like the Mediawest splinter-groups and SHareCon, are fine for local people, but less so for those with large distances to travel. I would say that if we could muster between fifty and a hundred fans, then a solely SH Con would be viable If we can get someone to organise it, of course. I would say that we do need ZCon (or something else like it) -- oh, the fandom can exist without it, but the sheer high of getting together and being able to talk and discuss and laugh and generally o.d. on fandom is something I don't want to have to do without.
Over here, with the demise of DobeyCon, we have experienced that kind of lack. I only hope that ZirCon can fulfill a need, and be repeatable.
A fan is dissatisfied with ZebraCon:
There are a lot of firsts in my life, but my first Zcon (which was Zcon 2) stands out as a real watershed in my life. It marks my first trip alone, my first plane flight alone, my first S&H adventure, my first meeting of our fen. The experiences connected with that con changed my life. I grew more confident, more outgoing, and more eaqer to be a producer in this fandom. I've taken all this personally, you see, as an arena of self-expression and sharing. That's what it has meant to me. And, most of all, Zcon means S&H...not Trek...not Uncle...not Pros but my one fandom. So, I feel a bit out of it anymore. Last year especially was a downer: my first vendor experience in a corner in the other sales room; no S&H play; and, of course, all that energy given to fundraising for PAF, which was great, and a way to mourn, but it certainly didn't lift my mood any. Everybody gets busier and busier at every Zcon doing their own thing. We're so busy being busy we forget that Zcon is all about women sharing their love of relationship and S&H. I feel like an outsider at my own con. Zcon is too important a meeting place to ignore, but it's not meeting my S&H needs.
Issue 12 (December 1990)
Frienz 12 was published in December 1990 and contains 24 pages.
- TOTM: TWO SHOTS...in film parlance a two shot is an image with two people in it usually shot from medium to close-up range... WHAT'S YOUR FAVE 2-SHOT IN SH? LOC's...THE FINE ART OF COMMENTING ON PAPER...USE THIS LZ TO LET THAT WRITER OR EDITOR KNOW...about that zine, story, poem, etc. (Favorable comments especially welcome.)
- "The Tale of the Rampant Rodent," fiction by Tabby Davis
Issue 12: Sample Fan Comments
A fan writes of Bonaventure:
A fan has enjoyed some of the recollections of early SH history:
Someday someone will have to compile all of our memories, sort them out, and put them into some coherent, readable form.
A letter praising some of the female characters on the show, saying they weren't all "empty headed bimbos":
I would suggest all these were reasonably well-drawn, even if their roles were not sufficiently large to make any lasting impact. What I'm saying is that the series, within the limits imposed by its format, did pay some attention to the female roles, perhaps rather more than we've given them credit for.
A fan is amazed by the varied voices of fandom:
I've discovered it is rather dangerous to generalize or make assumptions about S&H fandom. I doubt if any two of us actually see the characters in exactly the same light. Of course, there's consensus, in very general terms, about the 'relationship'. The one thing that drew us all together in the first place. But the variations on what constitutes the partnership, and makes it well-nigh perfect, are many. This is no bad thing from a fandom point of view, because it provides endless opportunities for discussion, stimulates interest, and keeps us coming back for more. I tend to smile when, occasionally, someone appears to be speaking for the whole of fandom. It's natural, I suppose, for each of us to think our own cherished opinions are shared by everyone else. However, after many years in this fandom, I've come to realise that there are just about as many different interpretations of a single scene, as there are fans watching that scene. In the end it comes back to the fact that we all love these characters so much, we are able to take on board opinions and ideas about them that run contrary to our own. A good reason for the enduring quality of S&H fandom.
Regarding straight and slash writers:
...it's hard to know the exact numbers of fans who see the relationship as a slash one or those who like to keep it all platonic. There are many fans on the periphery of the fandom. It is true, however, that most of the producing fans that I'm acquainted with do see the relationship as a slash one. And that may be why there is more slash fiction than non-. Writers who prefer to write non-slash material just haven't been around lately. As I writer, I write the kind of thing I'd like to read, and I'm sure most writers basically do the same. It's not that we wouldn't be open to non-slash fiction, but that very little has been done. Any story that is well written and believable in its own context is good to read. A lot of the non-slash to come out in the last few years just hasn't been outstanding. As [T] said, many writers wrote a lot of straight stories before moving into slash. If you do see the relationship as evolving that way, going back to write non-slash can seem like covering old ground. Many friendship-partnership themes have been done already, although there's always nuances that new writers can explore, of course, but to move forward with an exploration of that relationship, many writers say all they need to say about them as friends, then begin to work on the physical expressions that their love can take. As for people who read zines, there must be a pretty good number who like slash, as it's not too difficult to sell nearly a hundred copies of any one zine in the early months that it's out. We do print runs of 100-150, usually, and even zines that do not premiere at cons sell out in a reasonable length of time.
Regarding the definition of slash as, by default, explicit:
I'll add my voice to your comment about "G" rated and "straight" not being identical. I never really enjoyed the style of HANKY PANKY (for those who haven't read this l/z, it was done in the mid-eighties (actually finishing as I was entering this fandom, so I never contributed to it) and it was a no-holds barred exploration of slash.People discussed openly all aspects of the characters getting it on and the stories were your basic rocks-off stuff. A little of that goes a long way, and when you're done with the romantic stuff, the more unusual begins to be seen. I was afraid of the genre going the way K/S has gone in recent years. (Fortunately, S/H has some of the best, most tasteful slash I've ever seen—that's why I'm still into it, folks.) HP also had stories and discussions of lots of other "slash couples", which didn't interest me at all. I wouldn't want [P] to have a TOTM like "who do you prefer to have on top, Starsky or Hutch?".
There are plenty of things everyone can feel comfortable discussing. But I don't want to feel I have to watch what I say and keep all my comments about their feelings for each other strictly generic. "Homosexuality is not in and of itself x-rated... Very well put.
What I would like to see for FRIENZ are some serious, interesting discussions of the inner characters, what drives them, what they would do in certain situations, why they became cops. Has it all been said? I don't think so. Let's try to get into some meaty discussions in the future.
A fan weighs in on the type of fiction she likes:
Since I'm not into slash (in any fandom) I'm generally uncomfortable with reading it, even if it's not explicit. However, I'm willing to accept Pat's decision to print non-explicit slash stories in some issues of Frienz. I know that not all slash stories are explicit or x-rated; I also know that some writers who are into slash also write (wrote) good straight stories. S&H needs straight stories more than slash writers right now to keep things balanced, it seems.
Preferences:
[Do] you know of any S&H zines that can get my grubby hands on. I'm not a "/" reader, but will not rule a zine out if it is mostly hetero and slightly "/".
SH fandom beginnings:
The first SH episode I ever saw was 'Death Ride'. I was bowled over by the way S&H worked together. I could see straight away that theirs was more than a good working relationship and I was hooked. I loved the comedy in that episode and the banter that flow—ed between them. Pretty soon, I began to see how their relationship could go much deeper than friendship and that attracted me even more. All this was back in '76 and it wasn't until '80 or '81 that I discovered fandom. Imagine my joy at finding all those like-minded people and all the exciting things that fandom brings. There we're even people who saw S&H having the same kind of relationship as I saw; that was the best thing of all.
More on slash and straight:
I don't know if the majority of fans are straight or slash, but I do know which of the two is the more vocal. As I've said before, these days the Love That Dared Not Speak Its Name rarely shuts up.
About cons:
It was very sad to read in FRIENZ 11 that these days Zebracon is becoming less and less S&H. I'm never likely to get to Zebracon unfortunately and couldn't make it to any of the Dobeycons. Recently, though, I attended ZIRCON '90 in Hilton Keynes and had a wonderful weekend. The CON was for 'The Professionals' series as well as for S&H but was very well proportioned between the two. It's hoped that ZIRCON will be repeated next year—I certainly hope so. IT could be the start of something big, I'm sure.
Three cons in one month!
Then there was SHARECON, beginning with a marvellous birthday party. I never before had wall-to-wall presents.) SHARECON... meeting and re-meeting so many friends... the inventive, imaginative song-tapes, new zines (coinciding with the shock of finding one of my own short, short stories included in a zine whose existence I'd never previously heard of!), the good reading in the second SHARECON zine, all the plans and all the projects, especially in tracking down some colour-copying in a very important cause... above all, the talk, the exchange of ideas, the kindness and the friendship. And THE ROSE. Thank you, [M]. SHARECON was a time I'll never forget - certainly, for me, nothing like a 'little affair'...I'm truly grateful to everyone who gave me that very good time, to [N] especially for her gifts and talent for making it all so special.REUNION CON, a week later, was another highlight, with its superb Art Exhibition and its varied programme. Good to be in L.A. again, back at the 'Bonaventure' almost ten years after my first acquaintance with that unique rendezvous. And the tour of the LAPD was a wonderful bonus in that weekend. [C] and [L] left us with some great memories, plus the most classy CON programme book I've ever seen. THANK YOU for that and for so much more. There were the new zines too, still no more than skimmed until the jet-lag stops lurking. Good to have the 'Penal Code' sequel. And 'Bird of Paradise' actually flew into my hand. Perhaps I'll appreciate those illos more clearly when I've read the story; first impression is that they relate more to the rock band scene and to the drug-taking than to S&H. Maybe that's by design. Reading could elucidate. THREE SH CONS in a single month - must surely be a record? All of them featured those SH qualities one has come to value so much.
October ended with ZIRCON, right here in UK, in a weekend packed with good things in another varied programme. Over a number of years, ZIRCON'S organiser, [S S], has been giving a lot of service to SH fandom in UK through those regular London Fandays, a tradition now, I believe, of around a dozen of them) which have provided any interested fans with enjoyable opportunities to meet and talk and share. ZIRCON, however, gave us a whole weekend.
A fan asks another:
More on cons:
Unless the SHers support ZCon, then there won't be any SH programming because there won't be any call for it. So if you want it, make your wishes known well in advance -- it's unfair to turn up and then bitch that you're disappointed in what you got if you never told the organisers what you wanted. ZirCon, this coming weekend, is a mixed Con, but I doubt I'll be attending any of the Pros programming -- I'm going for the SH. And that's what I'll be expecting at ZCon in '91, too.
About SHareCon:
SHarecon was wonderful, not quite as frenetic with games and such as last time, but terrific for sitting down and discussing SH and fandom together. There was a real feeling of closeness that I wouldn't trade for anything. It was great to visit with [J], whose busy professional life has prevented her from being silly and fannish lately, again, and all my other friends. I think I got some time to talk with just about everyone, one on one, which was great. Whether we were into slash or not, we all have so much in common, and we have loads of fun. And [T], having you there was perfect, especially since we got to share the Zebra Birthday cake.Friday night was hilarious as we dressed in our 70's "fashions"—bell-bottoms, platform shoes, the whole bit. We had a great spaghetti dinner with the requisite red and white checked table cloths and watched song tapes, filked and sang "The Rose" surrounded by beautiful SH artwork and posters. ([P] wrote a couple of really funny filks that I hope we'll all be able to get the words to, soon.) [T] and I blew out our candles, then listened to the crowd chant "Simon, Simon" as the ice cream cake was cut.
Saturday morning was the swap meet, and there were loads of Zebra things to buy, plus copies of"Variations", [P] and [M's] new zine. We all wore so many Zebras that the hotel staff asked if we were some sort of zebra club. "Yes," was the best answer to that question. We stayed up late Saturday night watching episodes in my room (have you ever reclined on a bed watching a TV that's in the bathroom?—don't ask, please. Just take my word for it, it's possible when it's a necessity.) Sunday came all too soon, and the long good-byes nearly made some of us late for our transportation home. We left richer for the shared experience (schmaltzy, yes, but so true.)