Don't Give Up On Us
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Don't Give Up On Us |
| Publisher: | Torinon Enterprizes |
| Editor(s): | Leah S. --Editor, Gena Durrell - Consultant,Virginia Enderley - Misc. duties |
| Date(s): | 1985-1986 |
| Series?: | |
| Medium: | |
| Size: | |
| Genre: | |
| Fandom: | Starsky and Hutch & Star Trek: TOS (first issue), Starsky & Hutch (second issue) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Don't Give Up On Us is a gen Starsky and Hutch and Star Trek: TOS anthology. The first issue's content contains half Star Trek: TOS content. The second issue is all S&H. A similar zine is Half You, Half Me.
There was a submission request for a third installment in in The Who Do We Trust Times #3 as well as in the second issue of "Don't Give Up On Us," but it was never published. Despite the plea for tolerance for differing points of view (S&H vs S/H just being one of them...), the third issue's submission request stated: "Now accepting submissions. All subjects will be considered, no S/H please."
Origin of the Title
The title of the zine is from a 1976 album by David Soul, the actor who portrayed Hutch.
- Don't give up on us, baby.
- Don't make the wrong seem right.
- The future isn't just one night.
- It's written in the moonlight.
- Painted on the stars.
- We can't change ours.
- Don't give up on us, baby.
- We're still worth one more try.
- I know we put a last one by.
- Just for a rainy evening.
- When maybe stars are few.
- Don't give up on us, I know
- We can still come through.
- I really lost my head last night.
- You've got a right to start believin'.
- There's still a little love left, even so.
- Don't give up on us, baby.
- Lord knows we've come this far.
- Can't we stay the way we are?
- The angel and the dreamer.
- Who sometimes plays a fool.
- Don't give up on us, I know.
- We can still come through.
Issue 1
Don't Give Up On Us 1 was published in 1985 and has 190 pages. Its content is half S&H and half Star Trek: TOS.
The art is by J.R. (cover), Pete Sanfacon, Sheiler Nichols, Jackie Pusillo, Brian K. Pusillo, and Becky Howard.
From the zine: "Many thanks and love to W. Blinn, Gene R., the staff, all the contributors, and especially the actors who made it real for us. And to Pete S., for giving his terrific 'toons, even though he's not involved in fandom. A special thanks to new friend Regenia Marracino, without whom this zine would have been possible, but most of you would never have known about it."
The editorial by Leah S:
When I was young I used to pretend that I was editor of a newspaper... Now here I am presiding over this exasperating conglomeration. Not one to take my responsibilities lightly, I drove my staff harder than Capt. Kirk drives his crew. There can be only one boss guys.
I am an original fan of both shows, having been present in front of the TV for both debuts. And I'm big enough to admit that until the series began, even I got their names mixed up. Also to admit that this is my first attempt, and like all us humans, made mistakes. But how else is one to leam? It has definitely been a learning experience, perhaps a lesson in insanity. Also in braving life's challenges, broken typewriters, low funds, dead cars, snowstorms, etc... In pushing forward to get a zine out when all the odds were against us. I have come to hate Mr. Murphy.
Let none of us forget the meaning of Starsky and Hutch: be not afraid to care. And to love, something we could all use more of. Before Apollo II, people never believed man would walk on the moon. I was 9 years old and not the least bit suprised.
Both these shows are about hope - for this time and the future.
And that is the theme of this zine. Don't give up.
The editorial by Brian:
Dear fellow fans,
I have been writing for a long time, but only recently have I begun to write Star Trek stories. It is a new thing for me. I hope you enjoy what my cousin and I have put together, it took a lot of time and effort. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Live long and prosper.
- No Death Today, poem by Lucy Cribb (Starsky & Hutch) (4)
- Confusion, poem by L.L.S. (Starsky & Hutch) (4)
- Forever Friends by Leah S.—story notes say it was written December 31, 1982 (Starsky & Hutch) (5)
- Generation, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (Starsky & Hutch) (24)
- a reprint of Rudyard Kipling's "The Thousandth Man" (24)
- The Red Knit Cap by Regenia Marracino (Hurt/comfort wallow. Starsky loses his memory, wakes in the hospital to find Hutch holding his hand and calling him "Babe," is terrified that they are lovers. When he asks Hutch about this, they both have a good laugh, and Starsky is very relieved not to be gay. "'Listen, Starsk, put your mind at rest. We're not lovers.' He choked on another giggle and cleared his throat. 'We're best friends. Okay?' Starsky heaved a sigh and sagged back In the bed. 'Thank God!' [sniped] Hutch rose and pulled the cover up to tuck It around his partner, then reached up and brushed the dark riot of curls back.") (Guest appearance by an original character, a doctor, from the author's zine, Long Road Home.) (Starsky & Hutch) (25)
- The Starsky and Hutch List of Top Ten Lines (90)
- untitled poem (90)
- The Me Within Thee Blind by Sheiler Nichols and Becky Howard (Starsky & Hutch) (91)
- 537-ONN-Run, poem Becky Howard (Starsky & Hutch) (140)
- Tribble's Revenge (ST) Brian Pusillo (Star Trek) (142)
- Dreams Don't Mean a Thing by Vicki Swisher (Star Trek) (145)
- From Another View by Brian Pusillo (Star Trek) (151)
- Jim, poem by Gena Durrell (Star Trek) (153)
- The Ways of Life by Gena Durrell (Star Trek) (155)
- The Computerized World by Brian K. Pusillo (Star Trek play) (186)
- 537-Onn-Run Becky Howard (Starsky & Hutch) (140)
- Where No Man Has Gone Before, poem by Sue Anne Hartwick (Star Trek) (190)
inside page from issue #1, sample text
inside page from issue #1, Sheiler Nichols
inside page from issue #1, Sheiler Nichols
inside page from issue #1, Sheiler Nichols
inside page from issue #1, Sheiler Nichols
inside page from issue #1, Brian K. Pusillo
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 1
[Forever Friends]: It's a look at Hutch's friends, one from before and one from now. Beau Cochran knew Ken Hutchinson as Ken, a young man starting college with his whole life in front of him. David Starsky knows Ken Hutchinson as simply Hutch, a strong man who has been his partner for ten years and has seen both the bad and good life brings. The two images don't seem to match and all three friends start tearing apart. Who is Ken Hutchinson and just how long is forever when it comes to friendship? [1]
Issue 2
Don't Give Up On Us 2 was published in 1986 and is 146 pages. While some of the content of this zine is fairly slashy, it remains gen. The content is also all Starsky & Hutch, no other fandoms.
The art is by Dani Lane, Evelyn Farris, and Brian Pusillo.
The editorial has a focus of tolerance:[2]
Well, I tried, really tried, to remain as neutral as Switzerland. But after all, readers get to comment on the zines -- why shouldn't the editors? Especially in my case as I don't believe in editing an author's beliefs, whether or not they agree with my own.
First of all, I want to thank all the people who sent in LOC's. It's crucial to hear the readers' opinions, all of them. The positive ones to build confidence, the negative ones as an impetus to improvement. Some are too kind, others too nitpicking. All in all, it provides an interesting oversight into the different POV's present in this fandom. Without such diversity, things would be very boring.
With this in mind, I see too much dissension among the S&H and S/H people. We all have our own beliefs, why fight over them? If you don't like an S&H story because it goes against your POV, why comment on it at all? Same goes if you don't like an S/H story. It isn't so much different as the various beliefs within either group's stories, except that's it's been made into a major political issue. To comment at all on this touchy subject invites more argument, and that is one issue I do NOT intend to be caught up on (I have better things to do with my time than that), so I'll move on.
As I stated above in the previous paragraph, there are marked differences in our POV's. Some of us believe that S&H met in Viet Nam, others at the Academy. My personal belief is the latter, but if the story is good, I don't care if it has them having met on the moon! Everyone is entitled to her own opinion, and to experiment on an entirely new idea once in a while.
There will be no other warning -- this zine will not be a predictable type. The authors will be allowed to express themselves. Do not read each story expecting it to be "normal", there will be surprises. In this issue, we have a story in which Hutch has a brother. (Yes, he said on the show that he didn't have one, but there's a reason he said that.)
Without further ado -- DON'T GIVE UP ON US TWO...
- Reasons by Sue-Anne Hartwick—After Terri's death, Starsky contemplates whether he wants to quit being a cop during a quiet camping trip. (3)
- Scrambled Eggs, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick, poem (7)
- Dobey’s Dream, poem by Cathy L. Bryson (8)
- On the Dark Side by Regenia Marracino—Terri starts visiting Starsky after her death, leaving him unsure if he's genuinely haunted—or going insane. (9)
- Zebra Three, poem by Gena Durrell (51)
- After Amboy, After Shave, poem by Tabby Davis (53)
- The Mine by Catherine Raggonet—Gangsters bait Starsky and Hutch into a mine collapse, leaving the two trapped and Starsky blinded. (54)
- Brother's Keeper by Elizabeth Lowry (73) (a slash version of this story was printed in Timeless #1)
- Limericks by Becky Howard, poem (112)
- Snow Dream by Sandy Barrett (113)
- Tower of Strength, poem by Sue-Anne Hartwick (126)
- Familiar Stranger by Leah S. (127)
inside page from issue #2, illo by Dani Lane
inside page from issue #2, illo by Evelyn Farris
inside page from issue #2, illo by Evelyn Farris
inside page from issue #2, sample text
inside page from issue #2, illo by Dani Lane
inside page from issue #2, illo by Dani Lane
inside page from issue #2, illo by Dani Lane
inside page from issue #2, illo by Dani Lane
Reactions and Reviews: Issue 2
The comments below are from a five-page single-spaced typed publication that was sent by the editor to those who requested it. From the zine's second issue: "Thank you to all those who sent LOC's - let's hear from you again. NOTE: Anyone who would like to read all the LOC's received on #1, a copy of them can be had by sending 50¢ and an SASE. Contributors automatically receive them, once a certain number has been collected."
[Dani Lane]:Just wanted to let you know that I got my copy of DGUOU 2 and that I have read it as well. I was starving for a little S&H you see, and it was like manna from...well, you know what I mean. I was real suprised to find my 'bum' as the foaus of the cover art...thank you!
I almost think that you had planned that the whole ish of DGU0U2 would bea S&H fighting and making up ish. Every story involved that theme to a certain extent and I was not disappointed in any of them. But you are right...Catherine did an excellent job of it!
I suppose that the most innovative story had to be BROTHERS KEEPER by Susan Burchfiefd. It was really round the bend as far as I was concerned. It rotated until Hutch was in Nick Starsky's place but reacting differently than Nick did. I kept itching for S&H to make up in this story, though, and if it is any indication on how well something is written by the reaction of the reader... then this was very gripping for it kept me tense and on edge the whole way through.
Over all, it was a pretty good zine and the only place I think it was lacking was in the art. You really didn't have much in there and speaking as someone who draws, I always like to see lots of art. Your editorial was very nice. I think that fandom is all about people sharing their ideas no matter how different. It's a big game of "what if..." and it is too bad that people can't live and let live. My only complaint is about characterization and the subsequent lack of it in certain /h/c or "/" stories. But I still read every thing I can get my hands on and I can still find a little bit of good in every story even if it is only the love and caring the author puts into it.
Well, if you plan on doing another ish...please let me know. I'd love to work with you on it.
[Dee Brendel]:I received DGUOU 2 around the 13th or 13th of this month. And as always I was tickled to death to have a new S&H zine to read. First I flipped through the pages, glanced at the pictures, read the poems then settled down to read said zine from cover to cover.
I liked most of the stories, and all seemed well written to me. I especially enjoyed REASONS, THE MINE, FAMILIAR STRANGER. I liked BROTHERS KEEPER even if I wasn't fond of Bob Hutchinson. The story was interesting and did show another side of S&H - Starsky in the service without Hutch - and Hutch with an older brother. Very different view, too.
Loved all the peotry but my very favorites were #1 DOBEY'S DREAM and #2 TOWER OF STRENGTH.
All in all the stories were good. Each had its own offering. Thanks again for your S&H zine. Ya did good. A critic I ain't, and never will be. I just know what I like and when I feel I've gotten my money's worth and this zine meets those standards on both counts.
[Evelyn Farris]:I got DGU0U2 on Thurs. and have really engoyed it. Excellent! The cover was well done, with a combination of some of the artwork found inside the zine. Inside, the zine was neat and clear, easy to read. The words to David's song was a fitting way to begin the zine that is named for it. I love that song.
REASONS was timely for me, because I had just watched "Revenge" the night before, so the events of Terri's death were fresh in my mind. Very touching because of Hutch's recent loss of Gillian.
ON THE DARK SIDE is another great by Regenia. Again connected to Terri. Very suspensful to me because I didn't know what to expect until it was revealed that the girl was really Kerri, Terri's cousin out for revenge. The love scenes were tastefully done. An all around gripping story.
THE MINE was very good h/c. The boys start out angry and hurt with each other. (I don't think they would have repeated the same stunt with Kira, they learned their lesson.) Poor Dobey and Huggy, they really care about those two. Starsky's blindness was upsetting to him, very true to his character.
SNOW DREAMS was an interesting one but I don't really like mystical stories with S&H. The placement of the art was good I thought.
BROTHERS KEEPER was another gripping story. I had to know if they resolved their problems. Poor Hutch, he felt so reJjected by his family. It was a very interesting premise that Starsky met the elder Hutchinson first in Viet Nam and later met Hutch when he moved to L.A. and they became partners. Despite their disagreements Starsky & Hutch were still loyal to each other. I'm glad Hutch finally began receiving the help he needed.
FAMILIAR STRANGER was my favorite, I believe. I loved the ending, so beautiful. It was fitting that Hutch should find Starsky and nurse him back to health & for them to resolve their misunderstanding.. Dani's art complimented the story very well.
The poems were all moving. I especially liked TOWER OF STRENGTH, with Dani's illo and appropriately placed before FS. I was not disappointed al all in this fanzine. It was a job well done. Thank you for allowing me to have a part in it. Good luck with the sales of this issue and as you work on #3.
[Christine Campbell]: Just to say thanks for the copy of DGUOU 2. I enjoyed it very much, and some of the stories in particular, such as BROTHERS KEEPER, were superb.
[Martha Jennings]:Overall, the 'look' of the zine was very good. Thank you for NOT using "//" to indicate thoughts— I've run across that in some other zines lately & it is very annoying. I liked the little quotes at the bottom of the pages. For an even more professional look you might try using rub-on or transfer numbers, i.e. Prestype, ParaTipe, etc.
REASONS: Nice story, but I would disagree with Hutch that caused Gillian's death. If she hadn't confronted Mama Grossman she might have lived. I don't think the relationship would have lasted once Hutch found out she was a hooker, though. Good characterization.
ON THE DARK SIDE: I like the line 'coming or going or already gone'. A really good story, a damned interesting plot, I only wish we'd seen more of Starsky after Kerri left and also found out how Hutch helped him deal with it.
AFTER AMBOY, AFTER SHAVE: This was oute, nice and light-hearted.
THE MINE: I have to give the author a great deal of credit - I certainly couldn't write a story in a foreign language! A very good first effort.
BROTHERS KEEPER: Easily the jewel of the zine. I was engrossed by this story from the beginning and thoroughly enjoyed it. The characterizations were right on target and I particularly liked the explanation of how Starsky met Huggy. The only problem was that it ended too soon! What happens when they go to Minnesota???
SNOW DREAMS: An interesting idea for a story. I wish we could have read "Whole Lotta Love" too, to get a better understanding of Sunny.
FAMILIAR STRANGER: Unfortunately, the 'strangers' here are Starsky & Hutch- to me they don't resemble the men we saw on screen. We need to know more, too— why Hutch quit and how Starsky reacted then & what happened later to make
Starsky give up and become an alcoholic. A little more explanation of this nature would have helped the story a great deal.
[Catherine Ragonnet]: I received the fanzine just a few days ago and enjoyed reading it. I'm very pleased and amused to see "my" English typed. And I enjoyed your zine, very sensitive. But most of the stories are sad and develop the dark side of our two preferred heroes. Is it because of your choice or the way U.S. people see the genre?
[Sandy Barrett]:DGU0U2 came safe & sound. I'm not an S&H fan anymore but except for the poetry I enjoyed your zine. I like your editorial too.
FAMILIAR STRANGER may be in the future but I'd say your characterization once they were together was right on. I can see Starsky falling into the booze trap. He'd have never made it on his own even tho he was a street punk. Hutch kept him together. Why did they separate in FS? I don't remember if you gave a reason. Starsky was tough but he was careless, and carelessness will do anybody in. That last line cracked me up. Thatis the perfect ending to your zine.
The story with Hutch's brother was well thought out, and good dialogue. Yours is well written, and so's the French girl's, and Reggie's too of course.
[Carol Frashure]:Well, I think you've done it! DGU0U2 surpasses the previous one in its presentation and quality of stories. Which I think are absolutely excellent. I must tell you that I think the oover was a really ingenious idea. It was like a puzzle that couldn't be solved until the last story had been read. Clever!
REASONS by Sue-Anne Hartwick was a very moving story of understanding. It expresses so well the apprehension Starsky feels about possibly losing Hutch one day as he has lost Terri. Hutch's quiet acceptance of Starsky's moods is also well represented. But the core of this story is the showing of how entwined their lives are with each other. How their decisions about their jobs as cops are based upon their consideration for each other.
ON THE DARK SIDE by Regenia Marracino is a very different type of story premise. What if a person thought they had been given a second chance with someone they had loved and lost. Something to certainly ponder. Reggie paints a very vulnerable Starsky^here. Possibly more succeptible to this deception due to his unresolved guilt feelings and not being fully resigned to Terri's death. Very plausible. While Hutch is very understanding and supportive 1 still feel that in this story he did not pursue the cause of this situation with enough fervor. Where Starsky is concerned. Hutch usually has a bulldog determination to help. This is certainly a grabbing what if? story. Catherine Regonnet's story THE MINE does a beautiful job of showing the ways S&H depend on and try to protect each other even when there is friction between them. In this case a woman. Hutch's attempts to prevent Starsky from discovering his blindness is very true to character. As Starsky also is protective of Hutch even after he realizes he is blind because Hutch is hurt & needs him. But once they are saved and on the mend Starsky lets his buried feelings of despair resurface and attempts suicide. My only qualm about this is that this depression is presented and resolved too quickly at the end of the story. I think this section needed more build up and elaboration to make it more effective. But this is more a construction oversight not a criticism of content. Catherine should be commended on her story for her sensitivity, & anderstanding of the characters. Well done!
BROTHERS KEEPER by [Susan B] is a wonderful emotion-charged story. After reading this story I can see why Hutch never mentioned having a brother— such animosity. The way S&H and Bobby interact is facinating. Bobby is a little ard to define. He seems to enjoy getting under Hutch's skin & putting on a superior air around Starsky, yet I suspect he is rather insecure and unsure of himself. Also we have Starsky who knew Bobby in the service and met Hutch indirectly through him. Here Starsky's almost dogged loyalty to people he considers friends is shown. But he refuses to be used in a tug-of-war between Bobby & Hutch. He's caught in the middle as it were. Then we have Hutch who has always felt second-class to his brother, & is not only wrestling with that but his deteriorating friendship with Starsk. The complexities here are as interesting as they are revealing. There is so much unresolved tension between the characters it's almost tangible. They hurt each other rather than deal with the problems. As when Starsky accused Hutch of always taking the easy way out. This story is begging for a follow up, and I hope Susan will write one.
SNOW DREAMS. I do rather like stories that deal with "the unexplained". I think I already mentioned "Snow Dreams" in my last letter.
FAMILIAR STRANGER is a bittersweet story to say the least. How we hurt the people we love most is certainly the message here. In an effort to protect themselves both S&H hurt themselves even more. Hutch by running away and trying to hide his feelings for Starsky behind a wall of indifference & work. And Starsky being too proud & hurt to tell Hutch how much he needed him, & then trying to numb his feeling in drink. You did a wonderful job of showing how their pride & misunderstanding almost destroyed them both. Starsk physically and Hutch emotionally. If a person is a believer in fate, as I am, then is it was inevitable that their paths should cross again. A very insightful story, full of hope & of reconciliation to what is meant to be.
Again, thank you for putting together a wonderful zine for devoted S&H fans such as myself.
[Tabby Davis]:Thinking of the theme of many of the stories in DGU0U2, I thought your title was very well chosen & appropriate. For example, in your own story which I enjoyed very much, this was, basically, what it was all about. The same connection with the title applied over & over.
I've always enjoyed reading your stories, & FAMILIAR STRANGER was no exception. It's closing line is a perfect summing up of the reasons why S&H originally appealed to so many of us, and of course, continues to do so. I like an ending on that sort of note, and I thought it was perceptive & good not just to have the story ending with that line, but also to make it the closing line for the whole zine. A lovely thought with which to end.
I think it can sometimes be difficult-but it's always important- to decide on the best sequence for the stories, etc, in any zine, but you got around that very sucessfully. Your opening story & your closing story had this feature in common of a positive affirming theme, always there even in the bad times; & ending with your own story made a kind of circle, bringing the reader back to the hope & the constancy which had been there in REASONS at the beginning. I liked the way you deftly brought in the parallels with "The Fix". The memories of that time would never have disappeared. (Starsky remembers them in "Partners"...)
You had some ingenious & unusual situations in many stories - such as ON THE DARK SIDE. And Susan's story, BROTHERS KEEPER certainly introduced a set-up which, as far as I know, had never been treated before. In "S&H Are Guilty" Hutch does say, "I don't have a brother" - but I thought Susan showed how that statement, though not factually true, could have been made in that way. BK was a story that didn't 'cut corners': The situations were sometimes very difficult but there was no attempt to find easy, "happily-ever-after" answers, & I appreciated the realism which Susan observed in her writing.
SNOW DREAMS was interesting. I've read several S&H stories which introduce elements relating to the American Indian cultures. And of course, this was something that came into "Rosie Malone". I've read a little about the Hopi Indians, & have a shelffull of books on the American Indian past & present & future. It's interesting that quite a lot of S&H fans seem to visualize (or would you say 'envision' these?!) connections or affinities.
I agree with you that Catherine Ragonnet is to be congratulated for her writing an S&H story as she did. And it's so nice whenever we find this S&H interest in other countries around the world. (Wonder how many S&H fans there are who don't live in USA, Canada, or UK - & who hear the series with dubbed voices.) Whatever - I think Catherine is a real achievement and would like to congratulate here.
There were a lot of nice dialogue lines & others in the zine. Lines that stay in one's memory. I liked the way Catherine had Starsky thinking "I'll be the best mole there ever was!"
I've always enjoyed Dani's art & would like to thank & congratulate her on her contributions. She has that gift for producing illos which are original. I mean they are not simply based on stills or photos. And I don't mean that I don't like the artwork based on the latter - some of it is wonderful, some of the best art that S&H fandom has produced. But when you see some illo which you have not seen before in a photo, it is especially interesting.
On the technical side, I appreciated the clear print of your zine, and it's secure binding. And I like the texture of the paper you used for the cover. So, finally, Leah - the bottom line: my grateful thanks to you for another zine to add to my stone of S&H reading, and many congratulations on it's production.
[Cathy Bryson]:DGU0U2 was grand, and I'm awfully proud to be a part of it. It was very well put together, the artwork perfect for each story or poem (I adore the art accompanying my poem—please thank Dani Lane for me, won't you?).
The stories were all so well done that for once, I don't have a favorite. I like all of them equally, but most especially compliment C. Ragonnet on THE MINE - for her first effort, and for tackling English, she did a bang-up job. To the other authors, bravo one and all. And congrats to you, Leah, for a grand S&H zine.