Tunneltalk/Issue v.2 n.1
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.2 n.1
Tunneltalk v.2 n.1 was published in March 1991 and contains 62 pages.
- the short fiction by Beth Druham called "The Shortest "Catherine Lives" Tale Ever Told
- the editor says not to worry about letters being too long to print or send, that this letterzine has only declined to print a singe letter ever, and it was because it was rambling and incomprehensible
- there are several reviews of Sweet Sleep of Night, see that page
- a Lights of Winterfest update
- the open letter An Exercise in Futility (Or Lessons in How to Beat a Dead Horse): Black Cover
v.2 n.1: Excerpts from the Letters
[Barbara S]: The new B&TB International Fan Club is up and running, though, with their first newsletter just out. I haven't seen it yet, but have heard that it's great. Don't forget to keep abreast of all the latest B&TB news by calling their 24 hour information line (818-764-0743).
[Barbara S]:There have not been any more reports of Republic sending out any further cease and desist letters to any fans. I don't know whether it's because they don't know how to find us or the two that got sent out were just the result of someone's spate of productivity — let's hope it is one of those two, though I'm still upset that people as sweet and wonderful as Lynette and Kay were harassed. I think the best thing for us to do is, as Lynette says in her letter this issue, not to overreact. If we go about our fannish activities quietly and don't do anything to draw undue attention to our zines, art, etc., we might be okay. I think it's ridiculous of them to try to stop us anyway - as I've said before, we're the best source of free publicity any company could ever ask for, and I'm willing to be that for them as long as they leave us alone. I know some zine editors are still sending copies of their publications to the powers-that-be (we don't), and I wonder if that's not an action that should be reconsidered, given certain circumstance. Why make ourselves easy to find?
I've heard also that some fans have panicked over this, even thinking of ceasing publication - I hope that that is not true, or that they will reconsider. Don't let them take away something that gives you pleasure.
There have also been some pretty crazy rumors flying around, especially concerning Creation's role in all of this. Let me assure you that they had no role in it at all — in fact, Gary wouldn't even have known about it if fans hadn't started calling Creation. He has stressed all along to CarolCo the necessary place that zines have in a fandom, actually convincing them to leave us alone, right from the beginning. And, no matter what you have heard, that did not — I repeat, not — have any meetings with CarolCo over this situation. I've had so many people tell me they heard he did, that he was at a cocktail party that CarolCo threw, that he flew out to California to discuss the cease and desist letters with them, etc.etc. I was beginning to half-believe it myself. But — definitely — not true.
[Toni L B]: It sometimes amazes me, the range of our show. Ever since I found our universe, for reasons of pride and identity, and because it fits with my no-fashion-sense-required lifestyle, I have seldom been found abroad without a Vincent T-shirt of one sort or another. I always hope to run into someone who will comment on it, because l love to talk about Beauty and the Beast. But it often is not the people you would expect to speak to you who do. Two weeks ago, a middle-aged male hardware store clerk approached me. I was wearing Beth Blighton's "Wild Innocence" t-shirt; he wanted to know where he could get one. (I got his address and sent him a flyer when I got home.) Today, while I was buying smoked fish in a delicatessen, the man behind the counter, an Indian immigrant around 30, looked at my shirt (the gorgeous oil of Vincent and the moon) and said, "I miss that show." I said "So do I!", and left thinking about the universal appeal of fairy tales.
[Barbara S]: I wanted to make a few comments on some letters in this issue before I go. One is a statement made by [Gloria D], that "Diana loved and desired Vincent why castigate her for what we ourselves feel?" I'd hate to think that I'm in a minority here, but — while I do love and admire Vincent, both for his nature and his appearance — I don't believe l have ever really desired him. Why not? Very simple to me, he "belongs" to Catherine, body and soul, as she does to him. I don't even enter into the picture as far as he is concerned, and I have never imagined myself as Catherine, receiving Vincent's attention, but rather have admired and respected her also for her nature, her strength, and her beauty "without and within." My attraction to B&TB has always been their relationship and how it works, not how I can vicariously experience a relationship with Vincent. Obviously, under this rationale, I object to Diana being in love with Vincent. Now, give me a character who is intrinsically unattached — like Sam Beckett in Quantum Leap — and then my fantasy life starts to get rich! Am I the only one who feels this way?
[Gloria D]I agree wholeheartedly. I don't care how the powers that be do it, as long as they bring Catherine back alive and well — and as long as they let the lovers commit to each other, with no further reservations. Let the lovers have each other — and let us finally have the kiss we never saw, the wedding we've dreamed of, and the love-scene we've waited all these long years for! I want their "Happily Ever After!" And l don't care if the way they do it makes sense or not (Nothing in 3rd season made sense), they can explain it any way they want — or even skip explanations altogether. I really don't care — as long as they expunge the whole sick, miserable, sadistic premise of Catherine's death, and pick up with the story where, for me, it left off at the end of 'The Rest is Silence..." This pain and grief — and anger — does not lessen with the passage of time. In fact, it just seems to grow worse and worse. I look back, and see that I was much more "reasonable" last year than now. It is becoming more unbearable, rather than less.
I am not wildly happy to hear that Ron Koslow will helm any future B&TB movie. My fear is that he will not be willing to admit he made a mistake (to put it mildly) and will want to let the status quo stand — perhaps out of stubborn pride — in spite of the majority's wishes. A man capable of trashing, warping — and, yes, raping — his own creation is probably capable of anything. Wrong or right, this is the impression l have been left with— this is how I have been made to feel. This is why the name "Koslow" fills me with apprehension, and not joy (as it once did, but no more).
After the initial stunning, numbing shock of TLBL, my reaction... I addressed one of the many letters I wrote that night or in the following days, to "The Brotherhood of Pain," and asked them if they had always hated the fans — or what? Had they always held us in such contempt and loathing? I was so bewildered—I couldn't understand how all this could happen—how the same people who wrote "A Happy Life" and other favorites could unleash such violence and brutality on a woman at her most vulnerable and helpless. What was done to Linda Hamilton/Catherine was so vicious, so cruel, so vindictive, so humiliating and degrading. How could they imagine that this would be satisfying to anyone with anything approaching normal human emotions? (Could it be that they consulted with some clique of supposed fans who actually enjoyed this?) What happened was that the horror they visited on Catherine hurt me, personally, because I identified with Catherine. Everything they did to her, they did to me. Everything they stole from her, they stole from me. Every insult and indignity they heaped on her, they heaped on me. I can never forget or forgive, until they take it back. Nothing less will do. This is not abstract, this is not philosophical, this is not rhetorical — this is personal. To the teeth, to the blood, to the death.
[snipped] As I remember, before 3rd season, B&TB fandom was divided between those who loved and/or admired Catherine, and those who hated and were jealous of her. I think most of those who profess to prefer Diana over Catherine are from the group who originally didn't like or want Catherine. I think these people only pretend to like Diana, to cover the fact that they always hated Catherine and wanted her out of the way. I don't think these people would blink an eye, or shed a tear, if Koslow wrote a script describing Diana's demise under a subway train.
Though' I do like and sympathize with Diana — I don't want to read any fan stories about her. I haven't read — or wanted to read — any stories that weren't about V&C together. I avoid 3rd season zines (there aren't too many of those — I wonder why?), and zines which mixed season with "classic" B&TB. I'm not interested in that. It's all baloney anyway. (May they all go bankrupt!)
[Sharon H]: I truly believe that, for the time being, Catherine's moving Below would cause a lot more problems than it would solve, and it wouldn't even be feasible until Vincent begins to lighten up a little bit. I admit I often, especially in the second half of season two, yelled "Get a REAL life!" at Vincent whenever he pushed Catherine away (my roommate thought it was hysterical)! If there was ever a character on this show who desperately needed therapy, it was Vincent. I really felt that his "hang-ups" became very unrealistic and, I have to admit, very unattractive, after a while and I think Catherine must have the patience of a saint.
[Joyce F K]: B&TB exists in my heart as a beautiful dream, a powerful and delightful fantasy which mirrored my deepest understandings and philosophies. I wore black on the twelfth of December; not to mourn Catherine's death, but to express sadness over the fact that her character was portrayed as having been cruelly tormented and murdered. Fictional character that she is, Catherine Chandler exists as a meaningful, important and inspirational force in my heart; she touches my soul. I might never have survived the grief and desolation that strangled me a year ago, I might never have been able to rise from the despair, if I had not resolved to pour my suffering onto the pages of a story. The crushing loss of Catherine and Vincent's bond, the devastating events of her final six months, and her hauntingly evil incarceration and eventual murder nearly consumed me. As many of us have done, we have created stories (poems, artwork and other material as well) that keep Catherine Chandler alive in our hearts. Once my first resolution story was written, I had a new reality safe in my embrace; nothing would be able to harm Catherine again. She did not die; she is still alive. It was then that I became whole again and felt healed. Once the reality of Catherine Chandler's eventual return was assured, I found I was able to watch the remainder of the third season with a new sense of appreciation. It didn't matter what was shown each week; my reality ensured that, in the end, Vincent would be reunited with Catherine. It is this same reality that allows me to watch third season episodes, read third season stories, and see them as "pre-reunion" not "post-Catherine." Since that first resolution story, I've written three more. It was the only way that I could go. I had to protect her! So, season three is now just a prelude to Catherine's return, and as such holds no power of darkness over my heart; season three no longer represents Vincent's search for his destiny, it represents his reunion with Catherine, and therefore the fulfillment of his dream. There may never be a season four or even a movie; but in the pages of wonderful zines, on the canvases of the artists, in the smiles of friends there continues to be a beautiful, eternal dream.
[Sue G]: CarolCo is concerned that B&TB sales are dropping off. Let's suggest new merchandise that would interest us. Personally, I support items similar to the Phantom of the Opera: music boxes, fine silk scarves, official copies of Catherine's crystal and Vincent's rose in a pouch, a copy of Catherine's tunnel gown from "Orphans," and mature decorative items.
[Gwen L]: Rumor is getting to me that Republic Pictures is writing to people to stop trading in B&TB merchandise. As they aren't getting any feedback to their baby Beauty and the Beast products. Way back in October 1989, I wrote to them, asking for their permission and asking for how to go about doing everything correctly, e.g., giving them back so much percentage, etc and I didn't receive a reply. So I kept on sending letters. But they must have all fallen into Vincent's abyss! Then in February I sent even more mail, begging for permission as I wanted to launch a fanzine. I didn't know if I'd sell any, but I wanted to try. Still no reply I have copies of all my mail to Republic. Why now do they become interested? Have they finally woken up to the fact that the public loves B&TB? Or are they in trouble money-wise and need the small, even silly small amount of money made, which is immediately plowed back to pay costs, so no money is ever seen. It will be interesting to watch how this situation develops. I, for one, can't wait. It would seem Gabriel is alive and well, now working at Republic Pictures (Eds' Note: Never, ever, write to any studio and ask for permission to produce a zine, Gwen; since all zines are — technically and intrinsically — illegal, and something most studios wink at, calling their attention to them only forces them to defend their copyright and come after us! I, for one, would rather they didn't know how to find us! I realize you did it in good faith, but even that can be dangerous; they don't really want money from us, nor do they care whether we make or lose money. Once they are aware of our existence, they are legally obligated to tell us to stop. For now—knock on wood—the "cease and desist" movement seems to have stopped; let's hope it stays that way. —Barbara)
[Theresa A. P]:I've talked to a lot of people who did and did not like the third season, but I keep hearing one line that makes me believe that much more of the rationale for many of us who didn't like the third season is being misunderstand or perhaps just being miscommunicated. I guess I'd like to take this opportunity to clarify my views.
If you buy the premise that Catherine is dead, there are only three romantic options open for Vincent. And since the romance of this show, in one way or another, is in my belief one of the primary elements that made this show a hit, I think it's fair to say that how the romantic element changes will have a dramatic impact on the fans, and hence the interest/viewership.
1. No More Romance for Vincent.
It's my opinion, but I don't think there are many fans who would remain fans if B&TB took this direction — it's just pointless. What percentage of zines involve romance as opposed to other primary story lines? I have at least 100 zines and continually get fliers. I don't know the exact number, but I'd be willing to bet the romance stories outnumber all others by four or five to one (at the very least). I think this is very representative of the fans' interest. Like I said in my first LOC, we may just as well watch The Incredible Hulk, and I don't see that as an acceptable option to most B&TB fans.
2. Vincent Finds Comfort With Another, Albeit Lesser, Love.
How exactly is this interesting? Sure, in real life we'd like to see everyone get another chance at happiness, but do we necessarily want to watch their stories on TV? Sounds pretty sad (at worst) and/or mundane (at best) to me, given what came before. I guess if you're primarily interested in an action/adventure with an "unusual" creature as its primary focus, this works out okay (Oops! We're back to the Incredible Hulk again, aren't we!)
3. Vincent Finds Another Epic Bonded Love
I despise this idea. All of Vincent's previous character development would be blown out of the water if this direction were pursued. And if Vincent changes this dramatically, count me out! We love him for what he is, not just his unique, outward appearance. The writers spent two years telling us there had never been and could never be anyone else for Vincent but Catherine. To change this is to start a new story altogether—one which I couldn't watch/accept as long as I wanted my original vision of B&TB to remain intact.
"I've heard that many of the 3S fans were very angered by the appearance of a button which proclaimed "Who says we have to give her a chance?" or something to that effect, in regards to Diana. I think this line simply states the logical conclusion to a very logical line of reasoning based on the 3 romantic options available and the fans original interests. It doesn't have anything to do with Diana Bennett per se. It would apply to any character or scenario that so drastically changed the original premise of the show! Where can I get one of those buttons?
I just cannot be one of those people who will take whatever the networks are willing to give us — my loyalty and interest are not that cheaply had. I'm not willing to accept any old B&TB as long as Vincent is in it. It's just not enough. For me, it's Beauty and the Beast, and that will always be Catherine and Vincent.
In my first LOC I said I didn't buy/read zines that contained 3S stories; the rationale stated above is why. To me, the two storylines are just not compatible without altering your perception of Vincent's character. Do you remember Catherine's eulogy for her father in "Orphans"? She told the story of the skin horse About how, when you've been truly loved, you become real. For me, this happened with the first two seasons of B&TB. And in a strange way, this applies to 3S stories too. The danger is that too much exposure will make it "real." And by this I don't mean loved or acceptable, but it would have to result in a revised (and, at least for me3, diminished view) of B&TB as a whole! I just can't do that.
[Theresa A. P]: Sure, if this were real life and if Catherine really died and there was no way for her to come back (yes, bad things do happen to good people) I wouldn't want Vincent to be alone for the rest of his life. But this is fiction. I want the happy ending. I don't want Catherine to be dead. I want with all my heart for Vincent to have his once and forever love. Being a Big Beautiful Woman in a fat-hating world, I empathize very deeply with Vincent. I know what it feels like to believe for years that you are unworthy to beloved. It took a lot of time and the efforts of some very special people to help me come to terms with myself and to accept myself as I am and to feel worthy of everything that every one else takes for granted. It's taken Vincent even longer because his physical differences are more striking. It takes a lot of love and a lot of repeating before he can believe it and accept it as his right as a man. When Vincent found his great love with Catherine in a symbolic way so did I. He deserves his happily ever after and I want him to have it as much as I would want it for myself.
[Lynette C]:Certain rumors are making the rounds of our fandom, with regard to the "cease and desist" letters sent by Republic to Kay Brinkley and myself. So, since I know that no B&TB fan would deliberately slander another, I thought I'd take a moment to set the record straight.
One rumor states that Kay and I were held captive at the Family Channel and forced to reveal the contents of X-rated zines. (I'd love to meet whoever thought that one up!)
Another suggests that we revealed such subject matter (and the names and addresses of other fan-artists/authors) willingly, so that the Family Channel could pass that information on to Republic. (Thereby cutting our own throats, and justifying a comfortable "they deserve whatever they get" philosophy.)
A third rumor concerns the Family Channel's refusal to air the third season; and says that our Virginia Beach group, the Dream Seekers, was responsible. I'll tell you honestly, I wish we had been; I was worried about new fans being as hurt as I was by those episodes. Now that kind of wishful thinking may seem, to some people, as reprehensible as the act itself; but, in fact, it simply isn't. In truth, we are less than a dozen members, whatever positive energy (and noise) we're able to generate. We are not a block of religious fanatics intent on censoring B&TB, and most of us wrote to the Family Channel to protest their "editing" of the first two seasons.
Here are the facts: Kay Brinkley and Laurie W. have interviewed Mr. Weirich twice for our fan club publications Until the Night. I've never met the man, or even been on the grounds. Mr. Weirich was interested in the show's following but knew nothing about fan publications (and, frankly, had—and has—other important things to fill up his day). At no time did Kay or Laurie "inform" on other zine writers/artists or pass along copies of fan-fiction. The interviews were aimed at gathering information, not disseminating it.
During their most recent interview with Mr. Weirich, only weeks ago, he answered questions regarding the third season by stating that no decision had "yet" been made about how it was to be promoted; the assumption was that it would indeed by shown, and Kay and Laurie left with that understanding. The reverse-decision (which we heard about from a fan with better connections, in another state) was as much a surprise to us as to everyone else.
We're convinced that the Family Channel had nothing to do with the "cease and desist" letters generated by Republic. We do not choose to speculate on the source of any "anonymous tip" that might have resulted in such letters being sent (so far) only to Kay and me.
Kay Brinkley contacted Mr. Mills, in Republic Pictures Corporation's legal department. He recited chapter-and-verse of RPC's copyright contract with CarolCo, which has had (for three years) licensing rights for "various merchandising articles from the show." The bottom line is that if CarolCo complains of losing profits because of "unlicensed merchandise," then Republic is obligated to enforce that portion of their contract. And that will mean sending out "cease and desist" letters—at least. "Mr. Mills stated that Kay and I were not the only ones who would receive such letters; everyone who came to their attention would be sent them.
Kay mentioned the "reciprocity of fandom" — that in fact the fans are keeping Republic's (and CarolCo's) investment alive, and these very people would be expected to buy movie tickets when the film comes out. She mentioned Paramount's long-time policy of tolerating, even cultivating, its fandom (there have been Star Trek zines around for 25 years). She pointed out that general "cease and desist" mailings could threaten support for B&TB and eventually close down conventions all over the country.
"Mr. Mills wouldn't comment on Paramount's policies. He knows nothing about fandom, and did not know there were Beauty and the Beast conventions going on. The point is that, if they're going after "little fish" like Kay and me, then none of us should feel complacent. If Republic is indeed serious about enforcing this policy (and until that's certain, we must not overreact) (Eds. note: We agree whole-heartedly, Lynette.), all of us are threatened; third season and "classic" fans, zine producers and consumers alike. Ironically, I don't think they could have premeditated a better way to reunite the fandom. And if we don't come together over this then we are fools.
During their most recent interview with Mr. Weirich, only weeks ago, he answered questions regarding the third season by stating that no decision had it was almost worth receiving that miserable letter, just to be made aware of the support that B&TB friends can offer. I've led a reclusive kind of life, and the encouragement that came pouring in from all over the country (after I'd told only two people) was astonishing and completely unexpected. The information-network is incredible. The word "went out on the pipes," and in one day I heard from six different states. Prominent fans, people I'd never spoken to, popular B&TB artists, other zine writers, convention organizers, "classic" and third-season fans alike — all worried, but every one full of the idea that "we must hang together" (as one artist put it) "or we will assuredly hang separately!" — and it was so freely and naturally given. But then, my experience of this fandom has always been overwhelmingly positive.
I still believe that, for the most part, B&TB people are the nicest in the world. The show touched the best of us — and the best in us. I refuse to be made a pawn of the infighting that's split the fandom. I take straight forward approach to rumors and other attacks, and hope people will respect me for it even when they disagree. I take a positive stance because negativism does nothing but feed on itself. I also believe that people who spread unconfirmed rumors do more damage to themselves than to their "victims" ... And people who believe the worst of others, usually see themselves there.
To lend credence to these particular rumors would be to place myself in the peculiar position of "apologizing" for receiving a letter I found very upsetting, for personal and more important reasons.
As for the Dream Seekers ... We are an unstructured group of perhaps a dozen friends who meet every weekend to watch episodes and discuss them and the stories we've read, the movie we hope for, and the actors whose careers we now follow. We do not follow Robert's Rules of Order; we're there to try to keep the spirit of the show alive. We talk about the reading we've done — from the classics and poetry we've been inspired to read, to the X-rated zines we've enjoyed. We bring, letters from pen-pals all over the world, and plan get-togethers with other fan groups. We produce amateur stories, artwork, car signs, buttons — in fact, almost every one of us tries her hand at something, so we generate a tremendous amount of creative energy. We don't all agree, on the third season or anything else. But we laugh; we have a good time and replenish each other. Why else go there?
"When we part, there are hugs all around ... and we mean it. I've heard of meetings where people find little such joy in their fandom, but, frankly, I'd have to see it to believe it.
I think that if we aren't giving one another the same feeling the show used to give us, then we're doing something wrong. And if we get together just to spread gossip — especially about people we don't know — then we're off-course somehow, and we're being cheated of the fun we should be having.
Anyway, all lecturing aside, I thought people would like to get some facts from the horse's mouth instead of from its less reliable end. Keeping the Dream Alive.