A CREED - OUR JOB AS FANS

A CREED - OUR JOB AS FANS

I disturbs me greatly to hear that a wonderfully caring, sensitive, communicative person such as Lucy Lawless is beginning withdraw and become subdued. Some people post that she was very reserved during the Burbank convention, others say she just mellowed, while others yet say she seemed fine. Many say that it has been a long time coming, that they saw it happening. How observant you must be to notice a change in someone's demeanor from seeing her at last year's convention, to outside of Grease nine times, to this convention.

Sorry if that came out sarcastic, but I can't help but feel that as fans we are to blame. I want to think that she just had a bad day during the date of the convention, but perhaps sometimes things are just true. Ms. Lawless has always shown utmost respect and enthusiasm for her fans, and we in turn profess to adore her, for some to worship her, and we all care about her. Then how hypocritical it is in the way we act sometimes. Maybe out of respect for her we should finally have some personal creed on how to do our job as fans. (I use the term we loosely - but we all need to evaluate our own actions.)

1. When she is not doing publicity for the show or attending fan conventions and functions, please just leave her alone. Don't approach her, don't politely ask for her autograph, and don't bother her child with her. Don't encroach on her personal space or activity. When she can't even pick up her child after school, it's just insane.

2. Give her a break, she's just a person. She has had a busy year, always giving interviews and saying hello to her fans. Please give her some room to breath if she needs it. As fans, we are responsible for how Ms. Lawless reacts to us. She's human. If she seemed "guarded" at the Burbank, then maybe we gave her reason to be. Perhaps if gave her some repectful space she will be able to relax and be herself.

3. Please don't ask personal questions. I know, I know, what is personal? Everyone's idea of what is personal is different. But I read that someone asked her how she got the scar. Maybe it wasn't a pleasant memory to be shared with oh, hundreds of strangers. I'd whack any idiot who dared ask me that question. Yes, I know she has the option of not answering, yada, yada, yada, but maybe hearing the question just adds to the turn off. Come on guys, use your head and be sensitive to her as she is to you.

4. In keeping with #3: Don't pretend to know her or act like you are buddy, buddy with her. She sure as hell doesn't know you. Level the playing field. Maybe the web pages don't have the facts straight and she can't help but wonder what terrible rumors are going around. She's just another human being who likes privacy.

5. Don't exact every bit of care and energy from her. Be content with what is given. She'll appreciate your consideration, and maybe she'll be able to spend her energy with everyone equally. Don't tax her to the last ounce of humanity.

6. This is a major one: From reading many of the posts, many of you seem to have a conscious and subconscious (cause you aren't aware that you sound like it) opinion that you are entitled to something because she is a star. I do, I seriously do hear it between the lines of some posts. That as a public figure, it's okay to ask about the colors in her wedding or the origins of the scar, or that she should always sign autographs even after a long day of performing, or that she shouldn't flee through the backstage door, or that she should be going all out at the convention after filming in cold weather for how many months. Hello, anything in the space between your ears. She doesn't have to do anything, many stars are very recluse (like Harrison Ford, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gillian Anderson, George Clooney)

7. In addition, some of you said that people are interested because they want to know anything they can about their star; cause no one is interested things about you because your not a star, so she must appreciate being a star and having people interested in her, because you would. That's partly right; you are not a star, so you don't know what it feels like to have every part of your life broadcasted. I mean she has to appreciate us fans right, cause we've been to the conventions from the start, seen her multiple times in Grease, spent all out money trailing her every appearance. Wrong!, but you know she appreciates her fans, despite the many obssessive behaviors. You know she does! Time and time again she has reached out. So don't expect so much and maybe we'll get more in return.

8. She is a person and a lady, so we as fans have to treat her accordingly. Let her have fun, let her get to know you. Talk about yourself before you ask a related question. Maybe instead of asking her a question or make her do a trick, tell her what you like about her performance or about her show and coworkers.

9. As an actor, the worst thing is to be typecasted. Maybe her movie deal fell through because of that. And the behavior of the fans can do that to a star. We cannot appear so rabid that the only publicity related to the stars are the craziness of the show's followers. Maybe we scared her into thinking that there is no life ( and future) outside of Xena. (I mean look at Star Trek. The only one making it outside is Patrick Stewart and look at the movies he's done. What was that flop, Mastermind or something?

10. She is Lucy Lawless, not Xena. She is not "worldly" even though she has been to many places. Well, maybe she is, but we can't assume that she won't be fazed by some woman who wants her to sign her chest. We can't assume that she won't be scared by someone who shows up at every convention, tries to get close to her and tries to get pictures, autographs and personal questions out of her. If she was Xena, then she'd probably shut up, give you the look or punch your lights out. Come on, look at what you are doing. Don't drive her away. And don't be upset if she withdraws.

I'm sorry if I rambled on. I wrote this out before and it got erased. The second time around was not as coherent and I couldn't remeber everything originally. I am a fan, but I have never been able to attend a convention or a taping of some late night show. I have never seen every episode, nor bought any memorabilia except for the Trilogy. I have never sent her a letter or even seen her in person. But I know I would never want to make her feel uncomfortable. I think we all need to reflect on how we treat Ms. Lawless and what type of expectations are really improbable. I don't think this is her last convention, but I do think she will take a break from them. It's not that she's gotten tired of them, or that she's too big a star. I think she's, as someone put it, overwhelmed and overworked. I think we need to support her and let her know we understand and give her what she needs.