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The 1990 Beauty and the Beast Variety Ads
| Event | |
|---|---|
| Event: | The 1990 Beauty and the Beast Variety Ads |
| Participants: | |
| Date(s): | January 11 and January 18, 1990 |
| Type: | |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| URL: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
Starting in December 1989, tensions started to run very high for Beauty and the Beast (TV) fans.
The much-awaited and long-campaigned for third season had brought massive changes to the show. One of the main characters, Catherine Chandler, had been killed in a gruesome and misogynistic way, and the tenor of the show was greatly altered.
Some fans were okay with these shifts, but many, many were not. These latter fans reacted with grief and disappointment that the eternal relationship between Catherine and the Beast were not as eternal as expected.
Fannish turmoil erupted, with fans turning against each other due to difference of opinions about loyalty, love, and expectations. Some fans pushed back at TPTB in dramatic ways. Other fans didn't like the changes but were afraid of pushing back, afraid that they would look like ungrateful, unloyal fans. Other fans truly liked the third season.
This lead to a lightning quick change in the fandom in which lines were drawn in the sand, and fans were asked to pick sides.
One group of fans from Michigan took out a paid ad in the industry publication, "Daily Variety."
This caused another group of fans to take out ad that pushed back in an ad a week later.
See more at Beauty and the Beast Fans and TPTB and The Beauty and the Beast Wars.
The First Ad: "A Fable for Beauty and the Beast"
Paid ad from the January 11th "Daily Variety:"
Once upon a time... many many people were moving through a dim wasteland that was brightened here and there by small sparks of sunlight. Suddenly they came upon a beautifully wrought crystal sculpture standing on a pedestal and shining brightly in a sunbeam. Their hearts were caught not only by its beauty but by the unexpected joy of finding it. They began to explore and discuss the crystal's complex design and to gather more people to enjoy the sight. When suddenly the crystal object shattered in front of them. The shards might still shine brightly in the sun and be attractive in their own way, but they are still the broken remnants of something that in its wholeness was lovely and magical and their hearts mourned for the loss of BEAUTY...
To Republic Pictures, Witt-Thomas Productions, Linda Hamilton, Ron Perlman, Roy Dotrice, and all the talented people who have been connected with BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, this little fable is offered as an expression of gratitude for the 44 marvelous stories that gave wings to dreams and touched the best in so many hearts. It is also offered as a regretful farewell from the many, many people who find they cannot support the third season in its current cop-show format. If the crystalline structure cannot be mended, they will remember the gift "Of Love and Hope" even though the dream has been shattered.
The Second Ad: Beauty and the Beast - A Thing of Magic"
Paid ad from the January 18th "Daily Variety:
For 53 hours we've embraced an enchanting story, knowing it was fragile and delicate as are all things of magic and wonder, coming to treasure it, learning to protect it. 53 hours ...so far. 53 hours ...and counting.Perhaps some have been so blinded by the controversy over the creative changes in the third season of Beauty and the Beast that they have lost sight of these simple concepts: The most wondrous nature of magic itself it its very ability to take any number of forms. Championing a beloved past does not have to mean condemnation of the present. When one's touchstones are tolerance for other viewpoints and acceptance of honest differences, there is always, always hope.
To the millions of devoted fans who accepted the series' changes, with sadness for the lost past yet excitement for the glimpsed future, we say that you must not give up. To the millions more who were only beginning to discover this compelling story, we say that It would be unbearably sad to let it stop for you now. To Tony Thomas, Paul Witt, Russell Goldsmith, Ron Koslow, producers, writers, cast and crew of Beauty and the Beast, we say you have the wholehearted support of these many millions, perhaps not yet fully counted, perhaps not always the most vocal, but nevertheless out here, Provably out here.
And to any entity — network, independent, syndicator or whomever — who becomes the champion of this honored series, please know that you will gain an audience unprecedented in its loyalty and support.
Keep the Light alive.
At Least One Letter Made Roy Dotrice Very Angry
At the March 10-11, 1990 Creation Con in San Diego at the Bahia Hotel, Roy Dotrice (the actor who portrayed "Father") made comments to fans about how he'd had a private conversation with a fan who did not like third season, one in which he referred to her and others who did not like the third season of the show as "bad seed and people who had to be brought around to a correct way of thinking." Another con report said he referred to unhappy fans as "dissenters."
Roy Dotrice as the guest speaker; an extremely charming, handsome man. He was very sweet and gracious. He told us that after he quickly accepted the invitation to attend, he began to regret it. He was afraid the "B&B" family was coming apart and no longer loved the show and wanted to see it come to an end. He came to these conclusions due to the Variety ad and after speaking to a woman who represented a group of dissenters (that is what he called them). [His remarks] was a tirade, but he was thrilled to see all of us and to know we still loved and supported the show. The ad in Variety caused some damage but it was nice to see the ad from the fans who liked the 3rd season. He was very upbeat, positive, and when he spoke of "B&B"s return he said, when, not if. On the 9th he called Russell Goldsmith, hoping to have some positive news for us, but unfortunately Goldsmith was in conferences and unable to return Roy's call. If any news developed, Roy said he would pass it on to Helper's Network.Also, Roy stated he was disappointed that the episodes dealing with Father's romance with a woman from Above were not shown. He felt sure it would've established him as the next Rudolph Valentino!!
He was gracious enough to do two mini-performances for us as he said the "B&B" audience is sensitive and loves literature/poetry. He did a passage from Julius Caesar from Shakespear and a moving (he actually cried a bit) passage from Winterset...a play. He was simply magnificent!! [1]
Roy lashed out very angrily at the third-season critics, especially the Michigan group and the person who sent a bunch of dead, black roses to Witt Thomas in protest of the death of romance. [2]
Fan Comments
Dueling advertisements!? Pretty expensive way to carry on a conversation don't you think.
- ^ from Dancing Lights v.1 n.5
- ^ as quoted in the April 1990 issue of Shadows of the City