Frienz/Issues 45-46
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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 45 (November 1997)
Frienz 45 was published November 1997 and contains 21 pages.
- TOTM: Wonder how S&H would react to computers in the squad room? Imagine the possibilities: hacking, Tetris, Doom, etc.
- list of the recent Huggy Award winners
- there are several very short con reports (and two long ones) for ZebraCon, including one that mentions the fandom, The Sentinel: "... the first buddy show in a long time to come even close to the interdependence in S&H. Each needs the other more than they realized when they first got together."
Issue 45: Sample Fan Comments
Making audio tapes of episodes, and hearing some ghosts from the past:
Your letter brought back memories of my attempts to audio-tape the Pilot episode and also ‘Vampire’ many years ago. I recall the clock chiming and my mother calling out something from the kitchen.
The TOTOM: the characters and computers:
How would Dave and Ken react to computers in the squad room? I just know they would adapt very quickly indeed! Starsky loves gadgets. He would love computers. Hutch likes to show his intelligence He would work very hard to keep up with Starsky’s natural talent here, because he does like to be the voice of authority (caviar - ‘Bust Amboy’). I do think that Starsky would load a few games, though. And perhaps some pictures of scantily-clad women. On Dobey’s pc, of course. And it’s Dobey’s pc which would be discovered to have the virus that brings the whole network down. Then there’s the internet. Both Starsky and Hutch would spend far too much time browsing and downloading useless information. Remember manuals for left-handers, executive car brochures, Shakespeare plays, bio-rhythm diet sheets, wrestling programmes, none of these relevant to the job, but all read on the Job. Imagine what our boys would be like with the libraries of the world at their fingertips! Starsky’s vampire research? And the infamous Dobey plumbing service business cards!
More on computers:
S&H and computers! I actually believe that they are still young enough and hate paperwork enough to welcome them. If we are to assume that the dreaded reports could be done on computer and thus be amended as opposed to redone, they'd love 'em. Of the two of them, probably Starsky would more readily be willing to learn - Hutch would either pretend to know all about computers already or would feign disdain. But eventually, when Starsky's infectious enthusiasm eventually draws Hutch in, they'd both realise that here is a truly labour-saving device, in terms of saving them from the aspect of police work they can't stand. Can't you just see Starsky getting completely caught up in Sonic or tormenting Hutch by sending him suggestive e-mails across the desks? (I hope I'm not displaying too much ignorance of computer country here - I don't have one!).
Regarding alternate universe stories in this fandom:
I have never been able to get into alternate universe stories. My feeling has always been that if you want to write about S&H as other characters, then why not just write about other characters in the first place - why take S&H and transplant them into an unfamiliar setting with the only point of familiar reference appearing to be their hair colour when you could just create two guys with blond hair and curly dark hair who had absolutely nothing to do with S&H.
This may be an unpopular and some may feel ignorant view, but I have never enjoyed A/U stories because I feel they are not about the Starsky & Hutch that I know and love. If others share my opinion, perhaps that explains why A/U stories are not as common in SH fandom.
More on AU stories:
You ask why there are so few Alternate Universe stories in S&H fanfiction. I think maybe it is because the characters are so firmly rooted in the here and now - or rather in 1970s L.A. Personally sneaking, A.U. is not for me. I have read only a few S&H A.U. stories and have not liked then. You say A.U. set in the past can place the characters in a "recognizable! heroic situation”. I don't want them to be "heroes” as such. I'd rather see them as realistic human beings, dealing with everyday problems. Vulnerable rather than superhuman. Purely a personal p.o.v. For all I know, there may be an audience out there, longing for more A.U. stories. I could, again, be in a minority of one.
Regarding what if stories:
Your 'What if' concept is one that I have thought about many times myself, I'd love to see Hutch shot in 'Shootout' or Starsky with the plague - the possibilities are endless -Starsky with Gillian and Hutch with Terry, Hutch's sister coming for a visit, Starsky getting botulism - yeah okay, I reckon you get the point. All I can say is, thank goodness for zines -at least they allow us the chance to experience some of these undramatised situations vicariously through the imaginations of the authors.
And... the internet comes up:
There's a thought. That the Internet may possibly be to blame for the lack of letters, quite likely, I'd say. According to friends who are hooked ur, or "on-line”, or whatever the phraseology is, the Internet offers a more immediate exchange of views, comments, and instant friendships. A bit sad for those of us who still prefer the more leisurely method of letter writing.
Issue 46 (January 1998)
Frienz 46 was published January 1998 and contains 32 pages.
TOTM: What do S & H do to celebrate the holidays?
- A Christmas Blintz, fiction by Edina Clouds
- reference to a fan publication? "The November issue brought the bonus of some lively ZCON reporting.... to 'supporting members' like me a marvellous complement to the Con Report Books."
- some news clippings
- a con report for ZebraCon
Issue 46: Sample Fan Comments
The internet and its effect on fandom:
I agree, the Internet has replaced letter writing for many people. I'd say there are advantages & disadvantages to it. For immediacy, of course, it can't be beaten. When you have lots of overseas pen pals, it certainly cuts down on the postage costs & inconvenience of foreign mail. But I do like all the little clippings that the Letterzine includes as well as accounts of English fan activity.
More about the internet:
It’s not all that long since I stumbled across it as a result of a chance remark. I can still recall the sense of freedom, of belonging, on discovering there were others out there who shared the same interests as me. It seems so much easier now to begin to "find out.". The internet is certainly playing its part in linking more and more like-minded fans quickly and easily and there are some excellent new presses and zines being published that first all-important first point of contact.
More about the internet:
You wondered if some of our former members have been lost to the Internet. I wouldn't be surprised. People keep telling me how wonderful and convenient it is ("And it only took me four hours to get through my e-mail last night!") But from what I gather (I'm still not online), it isn't correspondence in the same sense that letters are. I picture it more like the exchanges of notes family members or house-mates leave for each other stuck to the refrigerator door. I keep hearing, "You don't have to write a letter, you cann just dash off a brief note." So? If I'm going to communicate with somebody, chances are I've got more than a quick note's worth to say. I could be wrong, but I get the impression on-line exchanges don't get into anything like the depth you can get in an apa or letterzine, if only because entries tend to be 'dashed off rather than thought about first.
More about the internet:
No, the U.S. SH contingent isn’t decreasing; they’re going online! There are active gen and slash lists. I’m online myself and understand the appeal of "instant gratification." but I think we owe it to our fandom to keep the printed word going. The letterzine allows more time to develop thoughtful, considered responses to other people's comments (not that you can tell from my letters! <g>), and as convenient as the immediacy of online communication can be, there's nothing like holding an actual book in one’s hands! In my opinion.
About the episode, "Targets":
Call me naive, but way back when, when I was just a young teenage lass and probably was naive, when I saw the beach scene in "Targets," I felt upset by it. The reason, because I couldn't believe that Hutch would've made the decision to give it all up and chuck the badge without first discussing it with Starsk. I always had a little voice in the back of my mind saying no, "He'd have talked to Starsky first - he'd never have made such a huge decision alone". Many years and some excellent fanfic later, I can look more deeply at the scene and realise that in many ways it reaffirmed their closeness, i.e. Starsky going along with it all, despite perhaps having doubts, in order to back up Hutch, in the true spirit of their partnership.
The episode, "The Fix":
I appreciate that fanfic has dealt in some depth with the implications, or aftermath, of the non-disclosure of Hutch's discovery and rehabilitation in "FIX," but still think it was rather too easily glossed over in the episode itself. Maybe a two-parter would have been the answer, but then the subject was rather downbeat and, on that score, perhaps not sustainable over two hours.
About a songtape:
I have recently seen the S&H song video. I don’t know who put it together, but it obviously took a lot of patience putting the right song to the right scene. Listening to the songs got me thinking of others that might be appropriate. The one that keeps coming to mind is "Everything I Own" by Bread. There is one line that I think really fits the relationship. It says, "The finest years I ever knew were all the years I had with you. " I also think the song explains how Hutch felt when he is unable to touch Starsky in "Sweet Revenge." It could also fit any situation when one or other of the guys is missing, for example, Starsky in "Bloodbath" or Hutch in "Survival" or "The Game." One of the best examples of how this song could apply is in "The Plague." Starsky tells Huggy he would empty his bank account and sell his Torino. Anything to save Hutch. The song sums up how Starsky is feeling. I would love to see this song put to scenes from the show.
So many interpretations:
I enjoyed reading all the different ideas on how S&H would cope with computers. It’s interesting to see how everyone can find evidence from the show to support their views. I think this is one of the best things about a letterzine. A topic is suggested and everyone has the chance to offer ideas and opinions. Each person sees different things and I like it when somebody sees something I've missed or interprets a scene in away that I haven't considered. It is because of this that I think the show stays fresh. I never know when I am going to learn something new.
About some dialogue in the episode, "Terror on the Docks," in which a priest is confused by Starsky and Hutch's use of the term, "partner":
The connotations on partner are fascinating. With reference to episodes like "Terror on the Docks" what I’d like to know is who wanted to include this element of potential confusion [regarding the use of "partner"] and why. Was it merely to fill out the priest’s character, maybe showing uninspired thinking on his part since he was busy preparing the couple for their wedding at that instant in time. Or was it a
more general throw-away line to stimulate some speculation, from the viewer’s pov, about the nature of S&H’s partnership? Could it even have been a deliberate attempt to fuel such speculation? Whatever, there seems little point drawing attention to it for no reason at all.
A fine line:
A couple of writers in the last Frienz mentioned AU and What If. Leaving aside the fact that all fan fiction is AU anyway, are AU and What If the same thing? Wasn't it Starsky himself who encouraged us to think about What If questions in the first place? If AU and What If are different, the line between them must be very thin. Just something to think about. I can imagine stories that would overlap these categories, but unfortunately I can’t imagine them clearly enough to write them!
About AUs:
A/U (Alternate Universe) fanfic: my understanding of [[A/U ]]is that the idea is not to create new characters bearing just a superficial physical resemblance to S&H (or whomever) but rather to take the same people (personalities, temperaments, etc.) and see how or what they do in different circumstances. While I enjoyed DECORATED FOR DEATH for the wonderfully imaginative ideas it contained, I've never thought of it as really good S&H A/U, because the S&H depicted there don't bear much resemblance to the guys I knew from the series. Maybe my biggest problem was with the basic premise, that these two were the best physical fighters in all of what remained of L.A. I never saw the S&H of the series that way; rather, one of the things I liked about them was that I saw them as relatively ordinary street cops.
The one S&H A/U story that I've liked the best is Odds Against.
[...]
I would especially recommend "Odds Against" to you. It is set in World War II; Starsky is a Jewish scientist working in Calif, and Hutch is an Army Air Force pilot stationed nearby. They meet and become lovers just as the war is breaking out. Starsky gets kidnapped and taken to Germany and forced to work for the Nazis (by threats against his sister in Paris). Hutch, with the help of two British Intelligence agents named Bodie and Doyle, goes into Germany to rescue him.
I have since become friends with the author, and she tells me her original idea for this story was more along the lines of what you suggested: Hutch a concentration camp guard and Starsky a prisoner, a Stockholm syndrome situation. Problem was, although she tried to start that story several times. Hutch just adamantly refused to be a Nazi and wouldn’t "talk" to her when she tried to write him that way!
[...]
In the multi-media zine DARK FANTASIES (the first one), the sequel turned into a vampire story and lost me.
In general, though, I don't care for S&H A/U, probably because I liked the original series so well, I just want more of that. For that matter, I consider S/H to be A/U, which is probably why I don't care for that either. Odds Against is slash. Incidentally, but in different roles and setting I didn't have the problem with it that I do with the "real" S&H. And O.A. has a lot of other story content. It's definitely not an insurance salesmen story! I like slash fine in some other fandoms, just have never believed it for S&H.