FORKNI-L
Digest - 15 Jan 1996 - Special issue
Mon, 15 Jan 1996
There are 29 messages totalling 1022 lines in this issue.
Topics in this special issue:
1. WARM COOKIES!
2. Fwd: RE: Forever Knight fandom needs help! (2)
3. Spelling Column query
4. Sony Charity Cards - good news
5. READ IMMEDIATELY!!!!Re: SOS-NAPTE Emergency Request
6. oops! forgot to clarify...
7. SOS-NAPTE Emergency Request
8. OOOPS!
9. SOS: Flyer help & PROMISES (2)
10. Flyers at airports (3)
11. Need warm fuzzies! (2)
12. flyers
13. SOS: Into the fray...
14. : Vampirology/Vachon's coffin
15. SOS Internet Connections
16. Letter Count (3)
17. LunaCon '96
18. Timing (Grr!)
19. Los Angeles FK'ers
20. apology
21. Found this on the Web
22. The Virgin and the Vampire
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 16:19:01 -0500
From: Cyndi Knecht <cknecht@m.......>
Subject: WARM COOKIES!
Just came back from my local syndicated station after delivering chocolate
chip cookies warm from the oven. Didn't get to speak to THE program
director, but her assistant and receptionist were attentive as I stressed
that they had to ASK Tri-Star for FK. At the very least, they now have a
"warm" impression of FK fans locally ("these cookies are great!")
Why am I mentioning this? Because I felt really stupid doing it and did
it anyway. You never know what these human beings that are program
directors are thinking. But I ask you - if you were the one selecting
programs and someone came in with warm cookies just for you because of FK-
how would you feel about that program?
This is *especially" important for those of us with smaller syndicated
stations. So I'm challenging you to just go out and do it! And feel
free to feel stupid but do it anyway!
PS - I know Syndies Appreciation Day is tomorrow, but I today was all I had.
Good luck everybody! Cyndi
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:15:12 -0500
From: Lisa Wolters <MVRJasper@a.......>
Subject: Fwd: RE: Forever Knight fandom needs help!
Hey gang! We've got another First Lady of Star Trek, Bjo Trimble, on our
side! Wooo-hooooo!!! :-D Read on for cool stuff:
**********
Hi! I'm just putting my newsletter to press, so will include the FK campaign
to reach more people.
Be sure to write to the sponsors of the show, saying how much you appreciate
their sponsoring your fav show -- big companies seldom get nice letters and
they really like it. Makes them ask the networks what they are doing to cut
off the source of nice letters.
Keep your letter short (1page) and polite. Don't go into length about how much
you like each star. Keep on the subject of renewing the show. Use a business
sized envelope, and don't put the show's name on the front of the envelope --
it will be sent to fan mail.
Send out the campaign info EVERYWHERE. I mean it should go into the envelopes
where you mail checks to pay bills, into anything you send out of your home.
Never know where fans lurk! I discovered dozens of Trek fans this way, in mail
order houses, the gas company, the phone company and even at the bank! I sent
letters to my Congress-critters -- they probably didn't get the mail, but
their office workers did, and I got replies (the usual soothing stuff) which
I then copied and sent to the studio!
Also, try to get interviews with the local USA stations, and ask questions.
They won't really have the answers, but they'll be interested to know that
there is a strong fandom out there, and will report it to the main network.
Don't stop writing letters, sending postcards, and emailing USA Network!
Thanks for this info, and keep in contact. We don't yet have a FK or even a
vampire area on MSN, but it's certainly an idea. I'll post this info in our
Science Fiction and Fantasy forum so others can use it. That should help a
bit, anyway.
My newsletter has Vampyr Corner, so you might like to see a copy; I need your
snail mail address to send a sample.
Yes, you may use anything I write here if it will help. Pass the word. I
have a multiple-page writeup of how to wage an advocacy campaign, based on
early experiences in the Save Star Trek and then in space campaigns. I am not
sure how to send it to you, but if I can get help, I'll do it.
**********
Lisa with a W.
MVRJasper@a.......
---------------------
Forwarded message:
From: Bjo_FrmMgr@m....... (Bjo Trimble)
To: MVRJasper@a.......
CC: Jenn_FrmMgr@m....... (Jennifer Jumper), Sue_SFF@m....... (Sue Stone)
Date: 96-01-15 16:20:39 EST
Hi! I'm just putting my newsletter to press, so will include the FK campaign
to reach more people.
Be sure to write to the sponsors of the show, saying how much you appreciate
their sponsoring your fav show -- big companies seldom get nice letters and
they really like it. Makes them ask the networks what they are doing to cut
off the source of nice letters.
Keep your letter short (1page) and polite. Don't go into length about how much
you like each star. Keep on the subject of renewing the show. Use a business
sized envelope, and don't put the show's name on the front of the envelope --
it will be sent to fan mail.
Send out the campaign info EVERYWHERE. I mean it should go into the envelopes
where you mail checks to pay bills, into anything you send out of your home.
Never know where fans lurk! I discovered dozens of Trek fans this way, in mail
order houses, the gas company, the phone company and even at the bank! I sent
letters to my Congress-critters -- they probably didn't get the mail, but
their office workers did, and I got replies (the usual soothing stuff) which
I then copied and sent to the studio!
Also, try to get interviews with the local USA stations, and ask questions.
They won't really have the answers, but they'll be interested to know that
there is a strong fandom out there, and will report it to the main network.
Don't stop writing letters, sending postcards, and emailing USA Network!
Thanks for this info, and keep in contact. We don't yet have a FK or even a
vampire area on MSN, but it's certainly an idea. I'll post this info in our
Science Fiction and Fantasy forum so others can use it. That should help a
bit, anyway.
My newsletter has Vampyr Corner, so you might like to see a copy; I need your
snail mail address to send a sample.
Yes, you may use anything I write here if it will help. Pass the word. I
have a multiple-page writeup of how to wage an advocacy campaign, based on
early experiences in the Save Star Trek and then in space campaigns. I am not
sure how to send it to you, but if I can get help, I'll do it.
----------
From: MVRJasper@a.......
Sent: Friday, December 29, 1995 7:58 PM
To: Bjo Trimble; Bjo Trimble
Subject: Forever Knight fandom needs help!
Dear Ms. Trimble:
I was given your email addresses by Jacqueline Lichtenberg, who thought you
might be able to help the fans of Forever Knight save our show from imminent
cancellation *mid-season* by USA Network. We've mobilized quickly in the
scant week that we've known about our show's fate, but we're looking for
assistance, ideas, *anything* from people like yourself who've already
battled the networks, and won.
We have a Save Our Show web page up and running at:
http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
This page contains anything and everything you or anyone else needs to know
about what Forever Knight is, and how they can help save it. If you have a
moment, won't you visit the site, find out what we've done so far, then let me
know what *else* we should do or how we should do something better? With your
permission, I would then like to share any advice you've given me with our
mailing list, FORKNI-L@p........
Live Long and Prosper--and may Forever Knight do the same!
Lisa Wolters
MVRJasper@a.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 14:52:32 -0500
From: Apache <lf@c.......>
Subject: Spelling Column query
Hi folks,
this from Ian Spelling:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
HI:
Everyone's jumping the gun too soon. It should be in this week's column.
I'll try to join the party.
Ian
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 12:31:16 -0700
From: Marg Rothschild <marg.r@a.......>
Subject: Re: Sony Charity Cards - good news
After looking at the list, I realized that the reason Ger's is #6 is
because the list is in ABC order. Can someone find out how we did thought?
Here is the first six on the list of charities from the Sony Postcards:
Tempestt Bledsoe "Tempestt" - Hale House
Neve Campbell "Party of Five" - Tourette Syndrome Association
Sharon Case "The Young and the Restless"- TV CARES
Thomas Haden Church "Ned and Stacey " - Hill Country Youth Ranch
Tony Danza "Hudson Street" City of Hope
Geraint Wyn Davies "Forever Knight" Pediatric Aids Foundation
etc.
If you'd like the rest of the names, either let me know and I'll send it
to you or you can check it out by clicking on "charities" on the Holiday
Postcard page at http://www.spe.sony.com/Pictures/tv/charity/office.html
Marg Rothschild, knightie/cousin/FFFROGie
** Help Save/Revive Forever Knight** write me at: margr@i.......
more info: http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:46:49 -0500
From: Carla Pickering <carlap@e.......>
Subject: READ IMMEDIATELY!!!!Re: SOS-NAPTE Emergency Request
Hi Diane:
If you're out there, e-mail NOW!!! We did not receive the fax of the flyer.
REPEAT: NO FAX!!!!!!!!!! Please fax immediately. Please reply to
CARLAP@e....... (Meredith (Plan2@a.......) & Carla) Even if you can't
fax, e-mail us!!
Meredith & Carla
Carla Pickering Carla/CROWHAWWK
MEAM, Wales Hall, Exeter, Rhode Island
URI, Kingston, RI
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:48:37 -0500
From: Lisa Wolters <MVRJasper@a.......>
Subject: oops! forgot to clarify...
I forgot to clarify that the newsletter Bjo will mention FK in goes out to
all Microsoft employees. (MSN=Microsoft Network)
Even cooler, eh?
Lisa with a W.
MVRJasper@a.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:44:38 -0400
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: Re: SOS-NAPTE Emergency Request
i can't hjelp with the copying but i will send some money... i can spare about
fifty bucks, is that good?
how much more do you need? i can ask around.
toni
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 17:51:33 -0500
From: Carla Pickering <carlap@e.......>
Subject: OOOPS!
Hi there. I'm sorry to all for the last message: that was supposed to go
just to Diane.
Begging for forgiveness,
Meredith (who is using her mom's account!)
Carla Pickering Carla/CROWHAWWK
MEAM, Wales Hall, Exeter, Rhode Island
URI, Kingston, RI
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 16:17:35 -0700
From: "A.M. Marcoux" <MARC3108@m.......>
Subject: SOS: Flyer help & PROMISES
I cannot download any of the flyers on the web page.
Could some kind soul send me (or point me to) a text-only version?
(private e-mail, i'm on digest)
As for Promises to keep...
Until TriStar offers a fourth season, I will remove my Kiss Of Death (TM) from
Forever Knight by not watching *any* new episodes (sob) AND when the fourth
season airs I will actually pick and join a faction (or atleast start to
narrow it down...)
andria (marc3108@m.......)
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:07:55 -0400
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: Re: Flyers at airports
Hey Toni--how far is Wooster from Bowling Green?
2 1/2 hours east
it's 1 hour south of cleveland 1 hour north of columbus in wayne county
why?
anything up?
toni
:) e.w. goes awol into the knight
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:23:35 -0500
From: Apache <lf@c.......>
Subject: Re: Need warm fuzzies!
On Mon, 15 Jan 1996, Allison Percy wrote:
> Someone send me warm fuzzies!
>
> I just spent 4 hours wandering around slushy downtown Philly arranging
> gift baskets for two local television stations (so that both will ask for
> FK at NATPE)!
{{{{{{{{{{{{ hugs! cheers! }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Apache
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:20:19 -0400
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: flyers
can somebody send me a copy of the flyers via email without that WinZip 5.6
thing which i don;t have.?? ASAP? Thanks
here's hoping?!
toni
ma97ad14@a.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 16:08:11 -0700
From: "A.M. Marcoux" <MARC3108@m.......>
Subject: SOS: Into the fray...
I faxed Beverly Oda, Senior Vice-President of Programming for Baton
Broadcasting, late Thursday. I informed her of the TriStar situation and urged
her to contact their syndication sales dept.
She *is* going to NATPE. The Baton-owned Stations are:
* CFTO-TV Toronto * CJOH-TV Ottawa
* CFPL-TV London * CHWI-TV Windsor
* CKNX-TV Wingham * CHRO-TV Pembroke
* MCTV Sudbury * MCTV Timmins
* MCTV North Bay * MCTV Sault Ste. Marie
(^ in Ontario)
* CFQC-TV Saskatoon * CKCK-TV Regina
* CICC-TV Yorkton * CIPA-TV Prince Albert
(^ in Saskatchewan)
They all claim to air FK on Monday nights (I say claim 'cause I never saw it
on CFQC while I was home for Christmas :)
I spoke to her very nice secretary, Bonnie, who suggested I send the fax, but
I haven't heard back from Ms. Oda. I will follow up with the press releases
and a little something for syndie appreciation day.
andria
PS: If you need the addresses for the above stations, try searching for Baton
Broadcasting System to find the home page (sorry, no URL) or email me privately:
marc3108@m.......
PPS: I also sent an e-mail to programming@b....... (they said they forwarded
it to the appropriate person)
--am
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:29:30 -0500
From: Apache <lf@c.......>
Subject: Re: : Vampirology/Vachon's coffin
On Mon, 15 Jan 1996, Bea Quindlen wrote:
. When a parish is closed, in
> my area at least (Philadelphia Archdiocese), "TPTB" make sure it is stripped
> of anything consecrated, valuable, or anything that could be re-used or
> vandalized such as statues (Vachon's church still has statues in it).
>
Same here. In "Black Buddha," Tracy, looking at a computer
screen that is presumably a tax assessor's roll online (I know the US
rolls mostly are now) describes Vachon's church as "condemned."
That made me wonder about the deconsecration of the church,
because if it's still holy ground, wouldn't Vachon be pretty uncomfortable
there? Didn't we see somewhere that vampires are physically uncomfortable
inside churches (separate from what happens if they touch something)?
Laura
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:47:19 -0500
From: Felicia Bollin <AriCon@a.......>
Subject: SOS Internet Connections
Okay, all:
Have we found anyone who is willing to liase with GENIE? Couldn't be sure
from what I've read . . . if not, we could use someone with an account there
who feels led to post any of the SOS info.
Felicia Bollin
AriCon@a.......
Ravenette*Immortal Beloved*Optimist*SOS FAQ-Keeper
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:48:02 -0400
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: Re: Fwd: RE: Forever Knight fandom needs help!
what's the USA network's email address?
toni
MA97AD14@a.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:57:57 -0500
From: Apache <lf@c.......>
Subject: Re: SOS: Flyer help & PROMISES
>
> Until TriStar offers a fourth season, I will remove my Kiss Of Death (TM) from
> Forever Knight by not watching *any* new episodes (sob)
No! Don't do thaaaaat! The point of this campaign is to
*increase* viewership! Take a vow to drag some unsuspecting non-fan
in front of the set for each new episode and bring him or her over -- and
get him or her to write letters! That's plenty hard enough.
Anyway, I think *I'm* the kiss of death. I've only been in three
fandoms in my whole life -- Star Trek, until 1975, Banzai, in 1985, and
now FK. It's a lemming urge -- my unconscious mind looks really really
hard for the show with The Most Complicated Financial Picture Possible,
and immediately becomes deeply attached to it.
Banzai, for example, is *still* tied up -- Begelman, who owned and
refused to release 51% of it, committed suicide last summer, after having
lost his production company to bankruptcy. It was never able to
capitalize on its cult hit status in any way, though nearly all of its
actors as well as its director and producer loved making it and would have
come back.
Apache
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 19:20:37 -0500
From: Jamie Melody Randell <immajer@p.......>
Subject: Re: Need warm fuzzies!
Alison, you have EARNED your warm fuzzies!
Please direct your web browser to
http://members.aol.com/immajer/warm/fuzzies.html
to claim your fuzzies.
PS: The page is open to ANYONE needing warm fuzzies.
Personally, I think we all deserve 'em!
Keep up the good work, guys!
And oh, yeah: the SFK Web Page has surpassed 5,000 hits!
--
KEEP THE FAITH!
Jamie M.R. --The Illustrated Cousin -- Mercenary -- SFK WebGoddess
Save Forever Knight! --
http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
"I hope you'll pardon us if we continue to crusade." -- Jaye the Red
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 11:32:45 +22303754
From: Christine Hawkins <chawkins@n.......>
Subject: Re: Letter Count
I have sent two letters; one to my local station, one to Jon Feltheimer.
Christine Hawkins.
*****************************************************************
_________________
T T T T T T T T Christine Hawkins
I I I I I I I I C.Hawkins@n.......
I I I I I I I I National Library of Australia
T T T T T T T T Phone: +000-000-0000
=================== Fax: +616 xxxxxxx
*****************************************************************
------------------------------
Date: Tue, 16 Jan 1996 11:45:14 +22303754
From: Christine Hawkins <chawkins@n.......>
Subject: Re: Letter Count
Oops! My apologies. I meant that to go to Bea Quindlan, not to the list.
Christine Hawkins.
c.hawkins@n.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 19:47:23 -0500
From: Ronni Katz <Questinc@a.......>
Subject: LunaCon '96
Hi all!
Anyone interested in doing an SOS thing at LunaCon (this is on March 15-17
1996) and it is held at the Rye Town Hilton, in Rye Brook NY let me know,
okay? I am tentatively on the guest list for this Con and am going to try
and get FK programming added to the schedule!
My EMail is Questinc@a.......
Anyone going to Boskone that has info on it (when, where, how much??) please
Email me off-list, okay? If I'm recovered enough financially from Arisia I
*may* consider helping out the SOS efforts at Boskone.
Someone else (I think Anne Pinzow?) is going to do the official Arisia Con
report. The only thing I can say is that I HATE AMTRAK!!! Our train was 6
HOURS late and I missed EVERYTHING on Friday because of them. Needless to
say - I sent them a scathing letter demanding my money back! There was no
excuse for what happened - I was there and I know BS when I hear it!
Anyway - other than the transit problems, Arisia was kinda fun. Wish more FK
people were there <sniff!> but liked getting another chance to see Anne,
LuDia, June, Cal, Celeste and Jacqueline Lichtenberg. (a great pro writer and
FK fan extraordianire!) Jacqueline even helped at the SOS table!!!! She's
the best! Hopefully more FK people will come to Boskone & LunaCon.
C - Ya!
Ron the Enforcer
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 19:36:00 -0400
From: SAM RABINOWITZ <sam.rabinowitz@c.......>
Subject: Re: Timing (Grr!)
AP>KYW-TV 3 in Philadelphia is messing with their schedule!
AP>I turned on the TV *five minutes* before the scheduled start time of this
>week's new episode to find the show already underway. Missed the teaser
I know. KYW always seems to start FK when they feel like it in the wee
early morning hours. I had 3 VCRs running at 3 different 90 minute
periods and still wound up with the episode spaced out over two tapes.
I read somewhere that USA would be showing 2 more new episodes before
going straight to reruns, so I'm going to try again tomorrow night at
9 p.m.
Sam
________________________________________________________________________
<*> <*> <*> sam.rabinowitz@c....... <*> <*> <*>
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* 1st 2.00 #4625 * Macalibur Limited--Who says chivalry is dead?
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:10:59 -0700
From: Karen Batten <seismo@p.......>
Subject: Los Angeles FK'ers
Just wanted to tell everyone in Los Angeles that there's another person
to write to at KCBS. When I called KCBS on Friday, the woman I spoke with
said he was going to NATPE and my best bet would be to write to him. She
also suggested that I get other people who watch FK to write to him too. :)
She'd never seen the show, but I think I'd almost had her convinced to
give it a look by the time the call was over. :)
Anyway, his full address is:
Mr. John McKay, Acting General Manager
KCBS-TV/CBS, Inc.
6121 Sunset Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Karen
***Forever Knight has been cancelled***
To find out what you can do to revive the show, visit
http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 20:19:11 -0500
From: Cassie Carter <ccarter@b.......>
Subject: Re: Flyers at airports
On Mon, 15 Jan 1996, Antonia Mandry wrote:
> Hey Toni--how far is Wooster from Bowling Green?
> 2 1/2 hours east
> it's 1 hour south of cleveland 1 hour north of columbus in wayne county
> why?
> anything up?
I was just wondering if we were close enough to get together on SOS
campaigning. Looks like you're about 1 or 2 hours from me (BG is 20
minutes south of Toledo), which is probably further than my car will hold
out . . . Oh well!
Cassie Carter |-------------------------------------|
English Department | here . . . I'm extending my wrist |
Bowling Green State University | to you . . . feel the pulse. |
Bowling Green, OH 43403 | Feel it. --Jim Carroll |
ccarter@b....... |-------------------------------------|
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 20:27:19 +0300
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: Re: Letter Count
i'm having a letter writing gathering at my school in about half an hour
anbd i'm getting my friends ()who don't really watch but will soon he he)
to write letters, they don't watch it regularly i should say
(about 6 people)
toni
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 21:29:15 -0400
From: "L.D. Steele" <h36a@u.......>
Subject: apology
hi everyone,
This is a very LOUD apology for sending the "Last Rights" posts back
to the list again. Sorry!
When I make a mistake, it's a doozy!
(crawling off to hide in a very small hole now.)
Dawn
L.D. Steele
h36a@u....... or aa300@f.......
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 20:35:47 -0500
From: Harper <RCMANN@d.......>
Subject: Found this on the Web
While browsing the TV section of Yahoo, I found an online publication
called "Media Update," described as a weekly television industry
update. In the most recent issue (Jan. 10, 1996), I found this
reference to FK:
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> CABLE AND SYNDIE
[snip]
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
> USA Network has dropped Forever Knight, which aired both in
> syndication and on
> cable. Knight will remain in first-run synidcaiton with original
> episodes.
> --------------------------------------------------------------------
[snip]
> If you have any comments or suggestions please email them to
> norm@t.......
The URL is:
http://transdigital.com/HTMLpages/0110programming2.html
Harper *** rcmann@d....... *** "Mostly Harmless" -- Douglas Adams
"Go to the coffee-house..." -- Lord Byron
Save "Forever Knight"! For details see the web page at:
http://members.aol.com/CuznJamiMR/SaveForeverKnight.html
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 21:10:48 +0300
From: Antonia Mandry <MA97AD14@a.......>
Subject: Re: Flyers at airports
>
>I was just wondering if we were close enough to get together on SOS
>campaigning. Looks like you're about 1 or 2 hours from me (BG is 20
>minutes south of Toledo), which is probably further than my car will hold
>out . . . Oh well!
i don't have a car otherwise that would have been a great idea. give me a
call if your car has a change of heart.
000-000-0000
Toni
------------------------------
Date: Mon, 15 Jan 1996 18:18:31 -0800
From: Jennifer Huebl <jcrascal@i.......>
Subject: The Virgin and the Vampire
THE VIRGIN AND THE VAMPIRE
I have no interest in FK, but I'm posting this for a friend.
The following are her words:
**********************************************************************
Quoting Tracy in "Black Buddha" part 2, "Have you ever
had anything happen that was just the most incredible, the most
wonderful thing and it just turned out to be so disappointing?"
Boy, can I relate! My name isn't important, since many of you
know who I am anyway. Those who don't, picture yourselves in
the same situation. I decided to start the year with a clean slate,
as I think you're all entitled to the truth. I couldn't say anything
before, but Nigel has told me he doesn't care who I tell, so I'm
free to try to make you understand why you may have seen me
depressed at cons, and why I misled some of you. This is the
fastest way to tell everyone who only knows a part of the story,
and to clear up rumors. And it seems Nigel needs a reminder of
what really happened.
I first met him at DOWI where Lora let me share his ride to
the airport. Four months later, at Toronto Trek, I didn't even go
to his autograph line because I had a signature from Boston, and
was more of a fan of Ger's. So I was surprised when he walked
over to me to give me a hug and ask if I'd be at his party that
night. He was very nice to me there and took me with him to a
Klingon party too. We had lunch at the hotel after the con, and
saw a movie. While we walked around his neighborhood later,
he asked me if I had a boyfriend, and I admitted it was my first
date. He was surprised, but not more than I was the next day
when he asked me to spend the night. That would have been a
quantum leap for someone who was just getting used to the new
experience of kissing, so instead, we just cuddled and talked for
hours. He told me personal things I would have never been bold
enough to ask, and made me feel very special, but it sounded
like he wanted to marry me, especially when he asked what I
wanted to do with my life, and said that he didn't care that I didn't
want children because he had enough already. So on the way
out, I joked about him not having as good of a time as he'd
hoped, but he very seriously said he'd chosen the right person.
He asked if I would change my flight plans to go with him
to a party the night before the Dallas con so he could be with
somone he knew, and when Pat Elrod picked us up at the airport,
he introduced me as his friend. On the way to and from the
party, and while we looked at the stars that night, he held my
hand. I spent a lot of time with him in public and private at the
con and I grew to care for him so much that my reason for not
spending the night changed--I couldn't get that close to someone
and then leave him so soon. He said he respected my feelings,
and tho he knew people assumed we were sleeping together and
had called me his girlfriend, he never cleared things up when I
hinted about our future together. Instead, at the airport, he told
me to call him anytime, promised to call me on my birthday, said
he'd visit me, and invited me to Primedia so we could see each
other again.
I believed it all, and when he didn't return my 2 messages in
August, I thought he was just too busy, since he was doing 3
movies and FK. But I kept all my weekends open for his visit and
whenever the phone rang at work or home, I jumped, expecting it
was him. I thought about all the pros and cons of marriage, in
case he really asked, and I rationalized that a star wouldn't trust a
fan with his address and phone number and secrets if he didn't
want a serious relationship. I was lonelier than I ever knew
possible, and when I didn't get the BD call, I was devastated. I
realized I was in love, so tho I was angry that he forgot, I sent a
very nice letter with photos of us in Dallas, and when I called
again a couple of weeks later, he said he really liked it, and told
me he didn't just care about me at cons, that we'd be together
quite awhile and we'd spend time before or after Primedia too. I
could even have lunch at the studio one day.
I was so ecstatic that I sent another letter, stating my
feelings even clearer, and I was shocked when he sent one back
apologizing for misleading me. But he called us good friends and
said he valued our friendship and was looking forward to seeing
me at the con, so I decided that was very good considering I'd
had no expectations when we met. I reviewed it all in my mind
and realized the beers he drank at his house must have
influenced the things he'd said.
At Primedia, he postponed our talk till he'd had several
beers, and he let me explain why I thought he wanted to marry
me. He admitted he hadn't phoned afterwards, hoping I'd forget.
He said he's sure I'd make someone a good wife, but it couldn't
be him because he ruins all his relationships. He looked so sad
that it made me cry even more. But when I recovered, I told him
how happy I was that he'd called us friends, and we agreed we
felt the same way about each other as in Dallas, so I tried to
make post-con plans, but he said "we'll talk more tomorrow."
He didn't call when he said he would, but he did come say
"hi" at the auction, so I invited him to dinner where he still told me
secrets and I assumed things were back on track. But that night
he still put off talk about our future "till tomorrow".
Instead, while I waited for his call, he rearranged his
morning plans and made sure he was ready to leave after the Q
& A. I reminded him he'd asked me to stay in Toronto longer and
I hadn't had any fun at all. He said he was going to study his
script and drink the wine he bought at auction, and I blamed
myself for the drinking. I wanted to spend time with him so badly,
but he left without even a hug. He just said he'd phone about
lunch on Monday or Tuesday.
So both days, I wasted my vacation trapped in my room
waiting for his calls, and both days he made up reasons why I
couldn't come to the studio. But he said he'd come back to the
hotel the morning I was leaving, so we could talk.
When he stood me up, I was extremely confused, and we
took his BD present to the studio since I wouldn't show my
roommates where he lives. When I got home, I left a message
saying everything would be OK if he'd just be the friend he said
he was. If he expected me to forget about him, I couldn't without
giving up my favorite show and lots of friends, and I refused to do
that.
I got more depressed every day, thinking I'd ruined his life
and he'd never start another relationship, just sit around being
lonely, drinking himself to death. I sent a letter in his BD card
almost begging him to let me know by Thanksgiving that he was
OK and would find someone to be with in Toronto. But my
holiday was spent in tears when he didn't call. I couldn't stand
the silence. If I hadn't done anything wrong and I'd forgiven him,
why couldn't he talk to me, especially after saying he would? So I
called in December and he seemed afraid we'd get into serious
topics, but he was nice enough and even said he'd call me
sometime.
I spoke to Star for the first time shortly after that, and she
hinted he thought I was an obsessed fan and that she felt I was
trying to manipulate him. I couldn't tell her all the details so she
could understand, but it bothered me so much that I called him
again before DOW2 and asked what to expect. Could I
approach him first or did I have to wait for him to make the first
move? He said everything would be fine, and we'd share a meal.
I went to Boston with high hopes, but spent time in my
room crying again because he didn't ask me to eat with him, and
even stood me up again after agreeing to meet me by the pool to
visit. He was treating me as if we had no history, like I was just
another fan, and it really hurt.
A month later I finally got some answers. He'd been dating
someone since November, but never had the decency to tell me
he wasn't lonely anymore, tho I'd given him many opportunities.
And he'd also received an article Dave Gracey supposedly
thought was funny, about how Nigel was with a blond at Primedia
and only went to cons to pick up women. Here I'd had one of the
worst weekends of my life, but Dave (and Nigel's liaison Denyse)
had made up some sordid story about how much fun we'd had
together. I laughed when I heard they'd called me things like
"slut", since that was far from true, but I couldn't understand why
Nigel took it so seriously.
I discussed it with him before the New Orleans con
because I felt he was treating me like a groupie or mistress,
being afraid to be seen with me in public, showing me no
respect. I said we knew we hadn't done anything wrong, so why
should we let people gossip about why we weren't socializing,
after so many fans had seen the story in his newsletter calling us
friends? I'd had several people recognize me from it and ask me
about him.
He was very nice to me in NO and I knew he was kind of
forced into "behaving" because my roommate was the one
assigned to do the con story for his NL, and some other people
there had seen us together in Dallas, but he did a few extra
things that made me feel he'd finally learned what friendship
really was, and he even kissed me on the cheek when we were
hugging good-bye . Afterwards, I even misled the con chairman
to protect Nigel's reputation when Robert asked if he'd ever
propositioned me.
But a month later, everything fell apart. Star refused to let
me join his club, and when I asked him to discuss it with her, he
was very nasty and acted like I'd accused him of telling her to
keep me out. He still wouldn't explain why he called us friends
when he obviously never meant it , and said he wanted to keep
his personal life separate from fandom, even tho I reminded him
he'd made me part of his personal life. I said he should have
made things clear a year ago when he kept saying at Primedia
that we'd talk, and he denied ever saying it, and said the only
reason he talked to me at all there was because I kept following
him around and wouldn't leave him alone! Worst of all, when I
said maybe Dave had been right and he'd only wanted to use
me, he accused me of using *him*, to make a name for myself
in fandom.
I think it's truly sad that he's turned against the one person
who believed in his innocence so long, and defended him from
people who thought a celebrity could never want anything but sex
from a fan. I told him many times I only wanted to make him
happy, and far from using him, once we "dated", I stopped
submitting stories to newsletters, I cut off contact from people
like Lora, and avoided making new friends. I could have proven
to Deb that I'd been to Nigel's house, but I met her at two cons
and never did anything but hope he'd introduce us. I bet he
doesn't know it was Star's idea to put my picture and name in the
Dallas story--I'd asked Jayne to keep me anonymous. And the
first thing I said after Lora and other fans had seen us together
was "I didn't want them to see us and get jealous of me." Why
would I want to have people like me just because I know him? I
felt like a celebrity in Dallas, but even told him afterwards that I
wanted people to talk to me because of who I am, not who I'm
with. I had met a dozen people at DOW1 before we met him,
and most of them are still my friends. I didn't need his help to get
me anything that fandom offers, but he's done a great job of
ruining it for me. He asked why I can't go back to how things
were before we met. Could any of you sit in an audience and just
look at him from the crowd knowing you could have slept with
him at one time? But wouldn't *that* have been using him in the
worst way, bragging about what we'd done? Yet, when this
started, he didn't care at all what people thought, and was
*wanting* to be used.
There are a lot more details I've had to leave out since this
is too long as it is, so I hope this doesn't appear to be something
I did to be mean. Just the opposite, I think Nigel may even be
happy you all know now that you don't have a chance with him.
He seems paranoid that he'll end up with another situation like
this, and has been telling anyone who'll listen that he has a
girlfriend.
I don't expect you all to believe me, but I do want you all to
think twice the next time you feel like treating *any* actor like they
deserve to be worshipped because of their talent. Nigel has
even said in his NL that it's just a job to him. They are just
regular people who've had the good fortune to not have to get a
"real job", and most of them don't even appreciate it. I've talked
to enough people who run cons now to know that the stars are
only there for the money and adulation. You saw how Nigel
pretended to have another job so he could go on vacation with
Louise instead of to Conrad where he wasn't getting paid. He
didn't care how many fans had spent money and taken time off to
go see him in LA and would be disappointed by him not being
there. Never forget that FK or any other shows you like are just
"things", no matter how good they are, and that people and their
feelings are more important. Remember to cherish the friends
you meet at cons and on-line, don't compete with them. Don't
spend your hard-earned money on gifts for stars who don't even
thank you properly, remember your name or even use them. You
may even be accused of trying to buy their attention. And in
*any* of your relationships, communicate honestly even if you
feel the truth will hurt, and don't make promises you can't keep,
or play with a person's emotions.
I've learned a lot from what happened, and hopefully you
can learn from my mistakes without having to be traumatized like
I was. What hurt the most was the insinuation that loving him
was a bad thing,and that I was deceitful, or a tease. I was never
less than honest about anything, especially my feelings, and I'm
very disappointed that it looks like he expected me to feel
honored to be offered the chance to sleep with him, just because
of his celebrity status. All of us wanted to believe he was above
that type of behavior. If he has stopped drinking, I'll be happy
that I had one big influence on his life, but I'm sure he won't give
me credit for that either.
Anyway, I'd like to hear from anyone privately via e-mail to
my friend (jcrascal@i.......; put FK in the message so
she'll know it's for me, and send your snail mail address if you
want a reply). Remind me of any incident where it would have
seemed I was using him. Let me know if you feel a club
president should be able to deny membership based on personal
prejudices. Tell me how you'd feel if this happened to you. Was
I stupid to have given him so many chances to prove his
intentions had been honorable? Would you be mad that your first
kiss was from a guy who never even cared about you?
And for those who've known this saga from the beginning,
I'd really appreciate it if you'd send Nigel a simple message like
"she honestly cared about you as a person" or "no one who was
only after publicity would have spent so much time crying
privately." It will only take a few minutes, but would be the best
gift you could ever give me. Thanks for helping me survive it all.
I'll close with something Captain Cohen said to Nick at the
end of "Killer Instinct" -- "Appreciate (your friends) -- they're what
makes life worth living."
------------------------------
End of FORKNI-L Digest - 15 Jan 1996 - Special issue
****************************************************
Knight graphics and parchment background created by Melissa Snell and may be found at http://historymedren.about.com/
