Frienz/Issues 29-30

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Frienz is a gen and non-explicit slash Starsky & Hutch letterzine.

They contain letters, want ads, con reports, clippings, flyers, and occasional fiction.

Issue 29 (March 1995)

Frienz 29 was published in March 1995 and contains 36 pages.

cover of issue #29

• TOTM: Does the series give us much information about what S&H were doing after they left the Academy until they became partners?
• contains the Huggy Award winner, "The View from Under the Bed" by Linda McGee (A fan in issue #31 wrote: "a great story - leaves some very satisfying loose ends about the nature of their relationship.")
• the first mention of this fandom's interaction with "the internet" and this letterzine occurred in May 1990 in issue #9; five years later, the topic came up again in "Frienz" beginning with issue #29

Issue 29: Sample Fan Comments

A short mention of RevelCon:

RevelCon 6, a multi media Con happened last weekend here in Houston. As the Con began on St Patrick's Day, most fans wore something green -like headbands sprouting big, green shamrocks. I even found several S&H zines in the Dealer's Room that I have not read: L A VESPERS 1 & 2 and 1013! To spread awareness of S&H fandom, I put out fandom flyers on their flyers table.

Trying to keep the love alive:

I wonder if there are other S&H fans like myself who have branched off into other fandoms and rarely even watch S&H for prolonged periods of time. Since we don" have cable TV, ! can't watch the daily episodes being run now, but I do have a complete collection of tapes. Since becoming involved in other fandoms, I rarely watch S&H. however, and wonder if others have done the same, then eventually come back to watch more regularly again. I've been away from it for quite some time now, and wonder if I'll ever watch or write it with the same intensity again.... Good thing we have our zines and tapes to help keep us warm!

The world was a little smaller in 1995:

Does anyone have a valid phone number for TNT? The number I was given (404-827-1647) is never answered. Very odd for a business number.

A fan says that her dependence on closed captioning is what makes or breaks her ability to follow a fandom:

Obviously I haven't left S&H, just let other fandoms dominate, and I've been vocal enough about wishing S&H had CC to keep a larger share of my attention.

About an upcoming zine:

BLUE EYES AND BLUE JEANS is a great title, even though I'll pass on it since I'm not into slash.

A mention of fans being on-line:

Can anyone who gets Prodigy tell me if an explanation was given as to the reason for the sloppy editing of TNT's airing of "The Fix"?

A fan writes:

I just realized that the first issue of FR1ENZ is dated 1988—an achievement in on-going service to fandom. Thanks to everyone who has kept it coming. The first issue of the first SH L/Z was in 1979 and in all the time since then I don't think we have ever been without a L/Z—more than one at certain times.

A fan writes of this fandom, and some changes:

My experience of fandom has been much the same as [T's]. I haven't found it to be exclusively slash either, though perhaps 'slash' seemed predominant in later years. I have friends who are about evenly divided pro and anti, and some who could be categorised as "don't know"- maybe even"don't care". Whatever-no one now claims the high ground, we've reached an accept able tolerance-level and fandom has benefited from that.

About some episodes:

"Ballad for a Blue Lady" must be the ultimate NON-h/c episode. I've never been able to figure out why they acted towards each other the way they did - like strangers. Perhaps there was just too much left unexplained - well, neither of them seemed to want to take the time to explain anything.... Could ["Dandruff" be the episode that justifies PMG's sometime comment that S&H was a "cartoon"?) By the 4th season me thinks both he and DS were less committed to the show than in the earlier years, and were not so vigilant in script-vetting

A UK fan describes her introduction to this fandom:

I rediscovered Starsky and Hutch only last March at my first multi-media"/" convention. (Devacons 3 and 4 in Chester were very enjoyable weekends). On the journey to the con I found myself hoping I would find S/H zines, although I don't know why; K/S was my reason for attending, and I hadn't thought about David or Paul since my schooldays. Fortunately, the zine trilogy "One More Mountain", "One More River" and "No Easy Answers" was on sale in the dealer's room. Although I had never seen "Sweet Revenge" and thought the shooting was "fan-fictional", I thought the story was wonderful and couldn't put down the zines until I had devoured every word.

An early mention of vids:

What aspects of S&H do I like? (Apart from the obvious attributes of P&D as seen on video). The answer is most definitely "/" stories, or Relationship stories which don't rule out that possibility. My other passion is music videos.

A fan says she discovered fandom itself two and a half years ago, had gone to a Star Trek con, and the rest is history:

You might be wondering what all this has to do with SH? Nothing I guess, except I came away with some zines, good ones, which I read on the journey home and was hooked, and on the lookout for more. To cut a long story short, one thing lead to another as more fandoms came to my attention until a chance remark one day opened a whole new universe and I discovered "/". This was what I had been looking for all my life. And I thought I'd invented it and enjoyed it quietly and secretly after watching TMP and then reruns of original ST! If only I had known. How could I have failed to discover it before? Actually, apart from ST, I've done things the wrong way round and read fan fiction before watching the shows properly. This is certainly true for Profs and SH. I enjoyed both and knew which actors/characters I preferred but had too much else on my plate, like a young family and a job, to treat them as anything more than undemanding relaxation. I'd be interested to know how many others have read and enjoyed slash stories before watching a series. Almost certainly reading prepares the way but it is surprising how often the suggestion Is there on the screen. One of my favourite pastimes is to watch with the sound off and concentrate on body language searching for instances where it appears to contradict the script.

Regarding close friendships and the show:

I think you're right that a good part of the appeal of this show is the viewer's opportunity to experience that vicariously. I know that's what appealed to me. I remember thinking early on in the first watching, "I'd rather have a friend like that than a lover any day!" And I still feel that way, come to that. Since men for the most part don't seem as focused on relationships as women are, that is probably why S&H fandom is almost exclusively female. Yes, I'm sure guys watched it for the gunfights and car chases when the series was originally on, but I sure haven't seen any indication that it continues to hold them as it does us.

A UK fan says a good story is important, but so is the art:

Is there anyone else who buys a zine just because of an illustration? I'm told this is more common amongst American fans than those this side of the Pond. It's challenging, If expensive to track down original copies of old zines with good pictures.

A fan is unhappy at the non-existent SH programming at the upcoming MediaWest, and she has issues with a lack at ZebraCon:

Speak up now and maybe we can get it done this time! I'd suggest we again try presenting these ideas to the ZCon concom; my guess, however, is that they will ignore them again as they did mine last year and just schedule 'the obligatory S&H panel'. But I don't think there's any rule that says we can't post notices, pick a corner somewhere and do our own S&H programming, or am I the only one who'd want to?

A mention of being on-line:

A technologically advanced friend is also on-line, and tells me there s an S&H topic on one of the computer bulletin boards-I think she said it was GEnie. She's a new Kung Fu fan, rather than S&H, but she checks it for me and reported with some chagrin that the S&H board is much more active than the KF one at this point. I Are any of us Frienz on the bb also, or are they an entirely different group?

Regarding the new lending library, keep it low-key:

I received the library zine package from Linda McGee today. Look for her notice elsewhere in this l/z. Do please Include a SASE when you write me about it. I've agreed to do this for one year, then we'll see how it's going. I've already heard from a couple of people requesting info. One mentioned that she'd heard about the Library through a friend on the GEnie bulletin board. Discretion being the better part of valor (or cowardice of survival, depending on your point of view), Linda and I have agreed that while it's fine for everyone to pass along word about the Library to personal friends and acquaintances, we would request that it not be posted for public consumption. I don't know the terminology, but not where just anybody who signs onto the board can read it? There are some weird people out there... With some really weird attitudes about slash. This kind of problem we don't need!

the zines available from the lending library

More on the lending library:

Okay, ladies, the Starsky & Hutch Lending Library is a reality now, and it's off to a great start! Barbara now has thirty-seven zines in her custody, ready to be shared. Wouldn't it be great to have all of print zines available for lending? With your help, we can. We've enclosed a list of the zines currently in the Library. How about taking a look to see if you can add anything? All donations gratefully accepted, and you even get your name mentioned right up front on the 'Thank You' page! (Hard to believe I was never a cheerleader, isn't it? SH just brings out the 'rah-rah' in me, I guess.)

To avoid duplication, it might be a good idea to let either me or Barbara know in advance what you'd like to send, so we can tell you if someone else is already going to donate it.

By the way, it's the policy of the Library to include zines in their complete, as - originally-published form. We don't mean no xerox copies. We love xerox copies! We mean that no stories, illos, etc. should be omitted. I mention this because we received one donation from which the contributor had apparently decided to excise a story . So, please, if you can't send the entire zine, let us try to get it from another source.

Also by the way, Barbara said she'd had an enquiry about the Library from someone who said she got the info via a computer network, which started us talking about the subject of on-line communication. While we think it's great to pass the word to friends on a one-to-one basis, we're a little leery about making a formal announcement to be read by the general public. You just never know who's out there. TNT is on line. Who else might be? Someone from Spelling-Goldberg who doesn't like the idea of fanzines? Fandom has existed quite peacefully for years without letting the Powers That Be in on it. So, if by any chance you'd thought of putting an announcement on a bulletin board, we'd like to recommend discretion instead.

Some money up front:

Regarding your suggestion of a $40 security deposit for zines borrowed from the Lending Library. ! think this sounds quite fair. I made the mistake of trusting a pen-friend with three zines totalling nearly $60 and have never seen them again. (This is another fandom. not S&H.) Allegedly they were "stolen" from her by an ex-boyfriend, but her story had more holes than Swiss cheese. A painful, and expensive, lesson well learned by me, especially since one zine is irreplaceable.

A new fan, [K H K], introduces herself:

Hi! I'd like to introduce myself, as I am completely new to your fandom.... I've been heavy into fandom for years, particularly Star Trek and Quantum Leap with a little S&S and UNCLE thrown in. I've managed a club, written QL stories and corresponded all over the world, and I thought I had seen it all in buddy shows and h/c.

Then, at a friend's urging, I tuned into TNT's revival of S+H, and by the third episode (The Fix), I was irretrievably hooked. Having an English degree, my first reaction was to scavenge the library for further information, which netted three TV Guide articles and two from woman's journals. Hardly satisfying. My usual fanzine haunts turned up only a couple of used zines. Then my friend passed on this address, and suddenly I am overwhelmed! You mean I'm not alone?!! I don't know how I missed all this before, but I have a lot of catching up to do!

Actually, what I am really looking for is one or two people to correspond with. To be honest, this l/z is a little too much for me: I blushed my way through parts of it. No offense. I am absolutely for people having the right to read or write what they wish, but a lot of it's not for this church girl. I am completely into h/c, close relationships and even much physical contact, but none of it sexual. Anyone out there still interested to talk? That still leaves so much to discuss...

I'd love to react to a couple of interesting things that were mentioned in the issue that [J] sent me to start me off. I had to think a little bit about guys v. girls in emotional impact, but I believe that for whatever reason, guys tend to be less overt about their feelings for each other even when they have the same depth of feelings as ' women. That's also what makes S+H more satisfying and touching than, say, Cagney & Lacey, because we are privy to something that is more rarely expressed than the close friendships women often foster. Does that make sense? They may not have a closer friendship than other guys do, particularly cops or soldiers or other partners who are bonded by facing death together, but we get to see them demonstrate it for each other. I don't think such a friendship is harmful. It's wonderful! Who wouldn't want to be that close to someone?...

I am a writer by trade, by choice, and by passion, and I would love to get into S+H writing. Is there some area that hasn't been covered over and over yet? Like H's break up with Vanessa, or maybe some missing scenes from episodes? Has anyone done an "It's a Wonderful Life"- kind of story? (Don't know why, but that's been playing around in my head) How forgiving are you all to new writers? I've sent two stories to [N C] for consideration, so maybe you can judge for yourselves soon...

Issue 30 (May 1995)

Frienz 30 was published in May 1995 and contains 28 pages.

• the letterzine has 54 subscribers

cover of issue #30

• TOTM: What are your favorite little things that Starsky or Hutch do for his partner? For those who are watching the series via TNT, after its long absence from TV, what's especially enjoyable in what you see?
• Shopper's Paradise 1995 (Where Are They Now?), fiction by Linda Cody (Hutch (lost his hair) and Starsky (got fat) are mall cops) A fan in issue #31 commented: "'Shopper’s Paradise 1995' was an original idea and well written, but must confess I just found it depressing. Given that private security guards are kind of the bottom of the heap in terms of prestige, pay, etc., I couldn't help but wonder what had gone wrong. After all, these guys worked on some pretty high-profile cases, including bringing down Gunther. And now they're reduced to this?"

Issue 30: Sample Fan Comments

A fan is enjoying some better viewing:

Greatest pleasure: seeing edges on things. And the Torino a nice, bright red. I've been watching third gen copies til now. On the other hand, those 3rd gen copies are uncut...

the lending library:

Congrats on getting the Library off the ground! What an exciting new chapter in the fandom's history!!

Some comments on electronic presence:

Yes, some of us in Frienz are on certain computer bulletin boards. I am only on Prodigy and have not seen any mention of the lending library on the S&H bbs on that network. However, it could have been mentioned on GEnie or American Online.

Another mention of being "on-line":

Thanks for the good insights on Hutch. A friend was telling me about some on-online discussion which seemed to conclude that if Starsky had died in 'Sweet Revenge', Hutch would have killed himself; the only question being whether before or after getting Gunther. I agree with you -- e1ther of them would be devastated by the loss of the other, but they're both strong enough to go on.

Computer communication and cable, to ways for a fandom to rejuvenate:

I've met some wonderful new fans who are rediscovering the show and reliving their past from the computer boards. So, you're right, the fans are growing thanks to TNT. )

A fan addresses another fan, one who went on to become an extremely popular writer of MANY stories in this fandom and others:

You make perfect sense in your comment that we have the opportunity to see Starsky & Hutch, men, express feelings of friendship that we rarely do in television (or real-life for that matter). S&H aren't afraid to express their feelings for one another: that's what's so special about this show! You also mentioned you are a writer. Why not send some short stones, vignettes, to Frienz. We'd love to read them!!

A fan allows Hutch a little extra temporary happiness:

I admit I wouldn't want to see it too often, but I don't mind those episodes with Hutch in love. Come on, why the fuss - it never lasts, and in the end there is always still Starsky by his side!

A fan makes a list:

Which of Hutch's ladies would I like to be? Let's see - not Diana, she's crazy; not Vanessa, she's dead; not Gillain, she's dead, too; not Abby, she got beat up so badly she left and went home; not Anna, she had to go back to Russia. There's Laura from "Deckwatch" and Judith from "The Plague" - but Laura would have to change her attitude and Judith her plane reservation.

A fan dreams:

I think I'm of the weird minority that thinks that Hutch and Gillian's relationship would have worked out. If Grossman wouldn't of killed her, I think she would of told Hutch that night that she was working for him and wanted to get out, and he would of helped her get her life straightened out and on the right track. If I ever write an alternate universe S&H story, it will be where Gillian and Terry don't die, they marry S&H, and they ALL become best friends.

The power of writing:

I agree with your comments on the Kira episode (it's titled "Starsky vs Hutch"). I disliked the whole premise, enough so that I used the plot of my QUANTUM LEAP-SH story to be that Sam had to leap into Hutch to prevent the affair so that S&H's friendship wouldn't end up ruined in the long run. I used the power of the pen (typewriter?!) to have Sam shave off that stupid mustache at the end! HA!

A fan has roamed a bit:

I think it'd be safe to assume that a lot of us have branched off into other fandoms and let S&H be less of a priority.

Another fan writes about focus:

You're not alone in branching out! Those who know me best call me a "channel hopper", and NOT because I can't control my finger on the remote1! (Though that's also valid...) It's just that I seem to collect fandoms like stray animals. And though I seldom pull out SH eps. these days, when I do, I tend to focus on h/c. As for the writing, I find it takes me a long time to put the idea on paper (or PC, really!) even if I've got the story mapped out. Other characters keep intruding. *sigh* The perils of living a multi-fandom existence. But I wouldn't trade it for the world, as it's let me meet MANY good friends along the way. Yet one thing is crystal clear: SH was the first fandom I was ever part of. rather than just experiencing, and as a result, I'm here for the long haul. It's a WONDERFUL place to be!!

A fan writes about tolerance:

I'm good friends with some people who are very into slash. They know my view, and that I am in the minority in that I object to all slash on a religious/moral basis, not just personal opinion. However, it's never an issue since we respect each other's right to our separate opinions.

The London SH Fanday:

... a regular April tradition here for many years—was more, this time, than the usual happy gathering of fan-friends. It was a chance to celebrate the 20th SH anniversary year. So, beneath the candy-apple-red letters of the congratulatory banner, surrounded by twenty candles, sat the magnificent CAKE,, white icing with (edible) decorations in denim blue. It was all very satisfactory in every way. As always, it was very good to meet new fans as well as 'old'. People were telling each other that they didn't look twenty years older ... can SH carry those built-in rejuvenating qualities? whatever—it was a renewing occasion. And it was exactly right timing that the arrival of the SH trailer-tape for the re-runs in USA coincided with the Fanday. It's short, true, but also truly satisfying. THANKS, Linda, for making it possible for fans on this side of the ocean to see it. Your time and kindness are bringing a lot of joy. News of SHarecon suggests an equally happy occasion there. And the first of the ZEBRACON reports has arrived. And new zines are on the horizon. There's a lot of action in this fandom.

a fan talks of her zine:

And finally ... and hopefully ... 'Renascence', a zine to remember the 20th anniversary year, could be ready for the printer by July. For several sound reasons, I don't want to make the wrong guess and print many more copies than would be needed, it would be helpful to have an notional number for a print-run. A lot of people have already told tie of their interest—are there more? Such information doesn't represent a definite order, of coursej but it can be a useful guide. There will be a flyer when I know the cost and the number of pages ...

About a possible reunion movie:

For years there have been rumours about a S&H reunion movie and, to be honest, I've never wanted there to be one. 'Sweet Revenge' left us free to make up our own minds about what might happen next in their lives and there have been so many excellent zines and stories doing just that, whether it be slash or straight. I have a feeling we'd only be disappointed.

About the possible movie:

Count one emphatic vote from me against an S&H reunion movie. Heck, I didn't even much like 4th season! And while it was nice to see the present-day PMG and DS in the TNT interview clips, I frankly thought they both looked dreadful. The years have not been kind. I think I would find a reunion film just depressing.

About the possible movie:

I don't know about the majority, but personally I wouldn't want a S&H reunion movie. My reason being that I just don't think it would work. The series had great relevancy to the time it was made. There would have to be new concepts and adjustments, both scriptwise and in the general feel of the show. Would we really like that? I doubt it. As Huggy once discovered, you can't go back. Better to keep and cherish the memories.

On fandom:

I think all of us have had the experience of moving on to a new fandom, but since I am extremely hard to 'hook', I don't jump into every new fandom that comes down the pike. Therefore I don't so much leave old ones (except to the extent they die out on me), as just, very occasionally, add a new one. I had discovered S&H fandom's existence just as it was fading out, to be replaced by S/H, which to me is a whole 'nother fandom and not what I saw on the screen and wanted more of. So I eventually found and got involved in Blakes 7. But now S&H seems to be reviving, I've been watching episodes again (on tape) and hope to remain involved for some time to come. I think one of the pleasures of moving on to a new fandom is going back and watching tapes of an earlier one—and falling in love with 1t all over again!

On SH's relationship:

The marriage questions you brought up are, I suspect, a reason for the rise of slash, the feeling that no one else could love them as they love each other, nor should come between them. I can't say as I would argue with that, but I still don't see them becoming physically lovers with each other. They're just too Interested 1n women 1n the series. I think they would have a continuing succession of unsuccessful relationships with women. Cops are well-known for that anyway, It's a job that does not bode well for marriages. And if they were lovers, I think 1t would be destructive of their working relationship. You've had a domestic spat that morning, are nursing resentment and are just a little less quick responding as back-up... There's a good reason police departments don't allow married couples to also work as partners.

Commenting on a theft:

That's so sad about your zines being stolen. I've been very fortunate with that in both the QL and S & H fandoms. I've never had any problem with things not being returned. Maybe it's the integrity of those two shows that draws the fans to it, who are honest and trustworthy.

Cross your fingers:

I may or may not make MediaWest ... I still hope I can do it though. If I can't make it, that will redesign the S&H room party, as I was bringing the VCR. All I can do at this point is hope for the best.