VenicePlace

VenicePlace was the first Starsky & Hutch slash mailing list. In August 2000, it had 175 members.
==Origins==
From the FAQ: 
The list migrated across many servers, spending some time on Squidge.org before moving to Google Groups. The mailing list remained active through many decades and as of 2014, was still active, although at a greatly reduced rate.
Like many slash communities, it began its existence in secrecy and amidst dire warnings. This was because parts of Starsky & Hutch fandom were well known to harbor anti-slash sentiments. (see Tensions Over Slash). The mailing lists FAQ ended with this ominous statement: "If the existence of this list becomes publicly known, I might have to shut it down." This was not an idle concern because even after the anti-slash fervor of the 1980s had supposedly subsided, the list moderator received at least one piece of hate mail in connection with the lists' slash activities. 
Membership was by invitation-only and new members had to be vouched for by an existing member. There was also an emphasis on mentoring new fans into fannish culture and privacy concerns, both online and in person at conventions. Members were encouraged to post an introduction and the mailing list maintained a folder with all the introduction posts so fans could become familiar with on another.
The concept behind the mailing list was that fans were gathering in a virtual online apartment to discuss their favorite TV show, Starsky & Hutch. Coincidentally, the objects of their affections - Starsky & Hutch - both lived in the building: 
The mailing list quickly developed its own mythology which was also outlined in the later FAQs:
==From the Front Page==
ABOUT THE LIST:
* What is VenicePlace?
* VenicePlace - the real (estate) deal
* Do I have to write an intro letter?
* Can I bring up a subject that's off-topic?
* What's the Big Deal About Privacy anyway?
* List members rarely mention anyone's whole name. Is that a privacy issue?
* Too much mail? Remember to change the Subject Line.
* Can we talk about writing, writers, or stories?
* Can fiction be posted on VP?
* How can I introduce a new member to the list?
VENICEPLACE MYTHOLOGY:
* How can a discussion list have a mythology?
* Just how big is this building anyway?]
* How does someone get to be a member of the band?
* What are the VP civic associations?
FANDOM QUESTIONS:
* What exactly do you mean by fandom?
* How long has Starsky & Hutch fandom been around? (offline) 
* How long has slash been around and who started it?
* How can I find out more about Cons?
* What does VP mean by "mentoring" fans?
* What are zines? 
* How can I get some zines?
* Is S&H fan fic (slash or gen) available on the Net? (offline)
* How can I post fiction on the archive or on the VP library?
* How can new VP neighbors get videos of episodes/songvids/blooper reels? 
* Is that a pistol in Starsky's pocket or is he just happy to see Hutch? 
* What the hell does THAT mean - a jargon hater's Glossary (offline)
* :-) and <vbg> -- Say what??
* Doesn't the term "mundane" come from Babylon 5? 
* Does it matter if SH isn't my only fandom?
* What exactly is slash, and while we're at it, what is "canon?"
* I've heard the term "fanon" -- is that related to canon? 
* Why does everyone keep calling me a neo?
* I'm having trouble downloading stories from the Archive? I'm missing the end.
* How many times did Starsky call Hutch "Babe" or some other nickname? (Or: how many love-names can two men have for each other? 
===From 2000===
==Privacy==
From the list owner, Flamingo: 
==Some 2001 Tensions==
In 2001, the list was undergoing internal tensions. 
The mod, Flamingo, addressed list members: 
==The Fiction==
===Posted to the List===
The listowner's 2001 comments:
 
===VenicePlace Stories===
Stories were written around fans virtually interacting with the TV show characters and one another. A website was quickly established that contained various rooms. Each room housed something different: The Library archived some of the online fiction, Hutch's Greenhouse was a simple page filled with steamy photos of Starsky & Hutch (well, as steamy as 1970s television would allow), the Artists Studio showcased fan art.
The apartment building had the potential of offering unlimited and flexible space: 
The virtual building even had its own civic associations: ASSET (the Association for the Scrutinization of Starsky's most Exquisite Tush), HAIL (Hutch's Arse is Luscious), and the recently formed GUSHER (Grad-Uate of Starsky & Hutch Erotic Research).
===The Fiction: VenicePlace Library===
See 
See: The Library.
==Print and Online Publications==
In 2014, the Starsky & Hutch archive published an online version of the SHareCon convention fanzine. It contained a brief overview of the VenicePlace stories:
==Today==
Since its inception in 1996, the mailing list has migrated through at least 3 different servers. 
At its peak it had around 250 members. In 2014, the list moderator noted that:
==References==
Category:Slash Mailing Lists
Category:Starsky & Hutch Mailing Lists
 
Category:1990s
Category:2000s
Category:2010s
Category:Squidge.org