Tunneltalk/Issue v.1 n.10
Tunneltalk is a Beauty and the Beast (TV) letterzine edited by Barbara Storey, Victoria Clark and Sharon Himmanen.
There were 17 issues.
This zine began after the letterzine Passages ended.
From the August 1991 issue: "This publication is intended as an outlet for fans; it will not be sent to either Witt-Thomas or Republic, or anyone else connected with the show, so don't be afraid to say your piece."
v.1 n.10
Tunneltalk v.1 n.10 was published in December 1990 (though the editorial says the issue is late, and they are "well into the new year" -- the editor apologizes and says this will not happen again) and contains 54 pages. This issue, as well as #11 and #12 have different font (in fact a primitive "daisy wheel" printer as the tech set up (Macintosh computer) at the school where the previous issues were created was wrecked by a burst water pipe). The editor has also investigated buying their own copier to produce the letterzine.
- a short meta fic by Helen Commodore called "Unconventional Weekend" (Catherine and Vincent go to a con (everyone thinks they are in costume) so that they can have a private weekend alone in their hotel room.)
- this issue contains some short book recommendations
- a report from Lights of Winterfest (good works and testimonials)
- the editor tells fans to write and support Avon Books and possible BatB tie-in novels: "Yes, I know--there always seems to be another letter to write. It's part of the "job specs" of being a fan, I'm afraid. [snipped] And don't forget that you should never put "Beauty and the Beast" on the outside of your envelope when you write to any of these organizations. They're liable to discount it as fan mail; and besides, why not make them read your letter to find out what you want?"
- there is a short open letter written by four fans about their disassociation from a con: "This letter is to inform the fan community that [Carol-Lynn S], Star Cook, [Cindy S], [Ann A], and [Marie B] are no longer associated with Crystal Chamber Con, scheduled for March 8, 9, 10, 1991 in Concord CA."
v.1 n.10: Excerpts from the Letters
[Joyce F-K]: It's been a year since they killed her; but she isn't really dead. At first I mourned her passing; then I realized that she wasn't truly gone. Catherine exists more today than she did even then, she will always and forever live free in our hearts.
[Barbara S]: I think we were all upset at the thought that The International B&TB Fan Club was going to cease operation this summer — for some, the Club is their only link with news and other fans, or was their introduction to fandom. But there's good news in that area too. Another group, determined to help keep Che dream alive, will reincarnate the club, debuting with the first issue of their quarterly newsletter in March. Sharon Wells, Para Igo, Kathy Costello, Alice Baltes, and Julie Hamburg are the group; we wish them well, and I know they'll do a great job! There is a full page ad elsewhere in TT, but I'll give the info here too. Dues are S15 a year, and include the newsletter, membership kit, Winterfest gift, and a 24 hour information line (818-7640 743) to get up-to-date news about B&TB any time. To join, send your dues.
[Ellie J]:Catherine isn't the only character that I like (I can't comment on Diana, as I have not yet seen those shows, nor do I know if I want to). I, of course, think Vincent is wondrous, but hasn't anybody noticed Father? He is terribly handsome, intelligent, and that voice. [snipped]
I was completely unprepared for Catherine's death in "Though Lovers Be Lost . . . " How could this be? To have this wonderful character die just as I got to know her, and in such an ignoble way! If Catherine had to die, why couldn't it have been heroically? I was so happy to find that it was showing on the Family Channel. I've decided to ignore this show and enjoy the two seasons worth of shows that I have yet to see.
I never thought that I'd be the sort to say that my life was changed by a television show. Of course my life wasn't changed. B&TB touched me profoundly and I have changed. I am different inside, not so hard, harsh, judgmental and cynical. No, B&TB didn't change my life, it inspired me and I changed my life. Just seeing this kind of love exist is enough. Oh, I know it's just a TV show. But why then, after all these years, do I, the ultimate cynic, finally believe? For the first time ever I believe " . . . there is a truth beyond knowledge, and that truth is love . . ." and it feels good.
[Bernadette A. W]:I'd like to mention the video TLBL. I will not buy this video for two reasons:
First, I already have it on tape, and once is more than enough.
Second, I refuse to spend my hard-earned money on something that will knowingly cause me pain.
[Sue K]:I do understand the "realities" of having to work with TV censors, ratings, etc. I'm bent on becoming a professional illustrator, and that field too involves compromises between creativity and "reality" and the demands of the client. That, however, in no way lessens my anger at Mr. Koslow for what I feel was his total disregard for the very essence of what he'd created. It was his choice to kill the character of Catherine in a repugnant and sadistic way, cheating many of the loyal viewers of what they had come to love about the show. Yes, I'm aware I can't speak for everyone, nor would I wish to. But I still find Catherine's murder so disgusting that I doubt I will ever feel capable of regarding it with detachment.
[snipped]
I am disgusted by the anti-woman slant of "Though Lovers be Lost" and the manner of Catherine's death. So many of my friends have brought up this very point that I don't think it's a matter of our imaginations. Nor is it merely because we are women; my husband agrees. Arwen, you remind us all of the fact that's so often forgotten--that the ratings slip of Season Three was not the result of "traitors" in fandom, but the countless "nonfannish" viewers tuning out in droves, more every week - people like my grandparents! People who were not in the least interested in seeing B&TB without the "Beauty."
[snipped]
Would Diana have been a better, stronger love interest? I don't believe so, and for one primary reason -- Ron Koslow. He would no more wish to see Diana advance in her relationship with Vincent than he wished to see Catherine and Vincent resolve theirs. I didn't hate Diana, but I certainly never warmed up to her, and I personally couldn't think of a character less suited to Vincent!
[snipped]
I was pleased to see [Helen C] speak out about the infamous "San Diego" incident -- the very incident that, sadly, made me realize that the self-proclaimed "Father" of our fandom was not. I also enjoyed [Adele S's] report on TunnelCon -- it seems that Adele and I came away from the con with much the same experience, and many of the same reactions, particularly about the "special awards" given at the convention -- given in the name of "all fans," it seems, but without our consent.
[Sue K]:I am absolutely delighted with [Jan C's] letter explaining at length her encounter with Ron Perlman after "the play" in New York. I'd already been privy to this information, but surely her rational, calm words (and Ron Perlman's similar ones at the recent New York Creation convention) will quiet those voices in fandom that are eager to brand them as "untruths." I am convinced to a certainty that the movie, if and when it comes, will be about the reunion of Vincent and Catherine. This is what, I believe, the majority of the fans want—and it is clearly what Ron Perlman wants.
The issue of Diana has been a hot topic. For me, it was clear-cut from the word "go"--Diana could never be a replacement, in any way, shape, or form, for Catherine. And replacement she WAS indeed intended to be— a romantic one, at that, as revealed time and again by several of the B&TB writers. Had she been intended as merely a friend--well, even then it wouldn't have done for me. B&TB ended, for me, with Catherine's death. But, be that as it may, my ultimate feeling about Diana is this: Had Catherine lived, I would have gladly accepted Diana's presence as a strong secondary female character. There were things I might have liked about her.
[snipped]
[Sue G] brought up the issue of the B&TB "Canon" and the suspension of disbelief. Editing a B&TB zine, and writing my own first story (which is definitely in a fantasy vein), made me realize how widely our preferences differ in terms of what stories we like to read (not to mention how we interpret the original show itself!). I've visualized a ruler, a scale of "ultimate reality" to "ultimate fantasy," from 0 to 12, with 6 on the ruler representing, the original series as presented, with elements of fantasy and reality. A 0 on the scale would be zine stories that deal with a grittier reality than had been presented in the TV series; a 12 .would be high fantasy, alternate worlds such as those presented in Abode of the Beast. Some of us can cope with that entire range of story ideas; others prefer themes closer to the middle of the scale. Since I think visually, I now have a fun time placing various stories I read on this scale. I have a similar scale I apply to preferences for "Classic" and "Third Season. "
Beth Blighton's essay on censorship was an interesting addition to the usual letters. I find myself in agreement with 99% of it; any person involved in the arts is all too aware of the issue of censorship. I do, however, feel that while it is NO ONE'S right to prevent the publication of controversial material, be it professional or fannish, it is everyone's right to react, positively or negatively, to anything put out for public consumption, provided said reaction is constructive. Abuse has no place in criticism --but if I feel the need to boycott an item or a publisher, I will feel no qualms about doing so, or clearly (and politely) expressing my reasons I am under no obligation to purchase or contribute to publications that do not meet my own personal standards, or follow my own system of beliefs. I will never tell someone else what they may or may not choose to publish, draw, or say, for neither I nor anyone else has that right. Instead, I will vote with my pocketbook; I will put my money where my mouth is. Which is exactly how it should be. Let censorship be an individual matter, and that alone.
[Sue K]:
Another issue we've been discussing is "to Beast or not to Beast": How bestial is Vincent, etc., etc. One of the interesting aspects of this discussion is how MUCH do we want Vincent to be a beast? Let me resurrect the hypothetical "ruler" again. Some readers like the idea that Vincent is about as bestial as can be; they like to see him "beast-out." That's one end of the scale. Others have expressed a clear and definite preference that Vincent is truly 100% human -- he just "looks funny." I've heard both these views expressed from friends and in letterzines. We all tend to color what we see with our own preferences and background. I, personally, have always seen Vincent as "not-quite-human" -- but I've never preferred him in his "beasting-out" mode. As a longtime reader of science fiction and fantasy, it's no big deal to me if Vincent isn't entirely human; that's not an issue, even in terms of a possible physical romance with Catherine. For me, he's attractive in his "difference," and it would be disappointing to find that he's a completely human guy who just "looks funny."
[Sue K]: One final comment — I, like [Theresa P], find it hard to understand those zines that mix "Classic" and "Season Three/Catherine dead" stories. None of my "Classic" friends would purchase a zine with stories in which Catherine is dead. Are such zines profitable? I must assume they are or they would not be published, but I assume, as does Theresa, that it is primarily those who can accept Season Three who buy them.
[Leslie H]:Wow! "Controversy" . . . has been brought to you by: TT! Is this GREAT STUFF or what?
[addressing a fan] -- I may not agree with what you say or how you feel sometimes, but I love your letters! Don't stop; your voice counts as much as anyone's. I was surprised you hadn't realized how real many fans' grief over Catherine's demise was -- many letters have made it clear that many of us feel we had lost a friend just as real as those we see every day. I'm not a crier at all, but my grief was so overwhelming that I found myself sniffling while vacuuming the carpet, or blinking through my tears while driving the car. Thank goodness that's past! The letters in TT are so profound and challenging, I find myself making notes, jotting questions and underlining phrases.
[Leslie H]: I hate it too, when fan writers move Catherine Below and give up her life Above -- when they don't do it with the depth and completeness the transition deserves. There are so many titanic and volcanic issues involved — after all, we're over turning the very premise of the show, and taking away the automatic source of "action and adventure." But in my personal view, there's just no way of realistically combining her work Above with a life Below, not without seriously endangering the underground community (Father has infected my thinking, I guess). How could she leave and return regularly, 5 days a week, without arousing suspicion? How could she hide this new commitment from her co-workers? How could she continue to endanger herself by her investigative work Above, thus worrying and endangering Vincent? Couldn't she put her drive and talents to good use in the society Below? And isn't Vincent worth any sacrifice? Or would life with him be fairly average, needing the stimulation of a full-time job to keep from getting boring?
[Joyce F-K]: Regarding the possibility of the Family Channel taking a spray can to the painted tunnels: I believe they would be in grave error. However, if they feel they can exercise their right to preserve the Commandments and safeguard the Morals. Why not go one further? I'll accept the addition of a marriage if they carry forth with plans to delete a torturous murder! Now that's a bargain I'd be willing to see occur on the network.
[Barbara S]: It was just announced, on Feb. 5, that the Family Channel has decided that they will not air the third season of B&TB, presumably since they were not allowed to legitimize Vincent & Catherine's relationship with a fabricated wedding. Starting on Feb. 11, they will be starting over again with the pilot. While I can't say I agree with their motives, I still applaud the end result. The thought that the third season — which, for me, was a perversion of everything that B&TB had come to mean, both because of Catherine's ignoble death and the disintegration of Vincent's noble character — will not be appearing on TV screens, at least for the present, is a source of great relief and happiness for me. I'd rather that new fans didn't see it, and it seems almost a vindication for the truth and beauty of Vincent and Catherine's dream. It also lifts my hopes a little higher; maybe we will yet see the fairy tale return.
[Pat W, who put a one line ad in the newspaper San Jose Mercury: "ARTICLES WANTED: TAPES OF B&TB SHOW 1987-1989."]:December 2lst; The phone rings, and a woman named Dana, living 20 miles away, tells me her mother is a fan of the show — and YES, she has most of the first and second seasons on tape—and YES, her mother is willing to let me borrow them over Christmas!
I leave Dana's home later that day carry ing in my arms eleven yellow Kodak cassettes containing the prized episodes. What a RUSH!
None of the cassette cases and none of the tapes are labeled or numbered, so I have no way of knowing what episodes— in what order, from what season?--I'm going to watch. Somehow this only heightens my anticipation, my sense of adventure.
I watch six episodes--one right after the other--and each one only makes me thirst for more. There is so much in each episode to absorb; so many discoveries to make; meanings to learn; so many powerful, intense emotions to experience and to identify with.
I need a way to understand, to "process" everything I'm taking in; so I begin writing down my thoughts and feelings and observations in a kind of journal. Over and over the words NOURISH, TRUTH, COMFORT, AFFIRMATION, INSIGHT appear on the pages.
Over the next two days, the ordinary world seems far removed, as I immerse myself deeper and deeper into the episodes. My only fear is that either the VCR or the TV set — or both!-- will self-destruct! I begin to notice CHANGES in myself. For the first time in years, I feel a sense of inner contentment, and peace of mind, well-being. Even despite the frantic, stressful days of Christmas, I'm calm, yet I've never felt more ENERGIZED!