Beauty and the Beast Fans and TPTB

Fans of the 1987-1990 television series, Beauty and the Beast (TV) enjoyed a high level of interaction with, and access to, the series' showrunners, producers, and actors - a relationship (and familiarity) that had many benefits as well as many drawbacks.
Some of the fan-TPTB interactions took the form of TPTB calling fans on the phone, attending cons, sending cards and letters to some fans' homes and to fan publications, offering fans tidbits of insider information, and agreeing to fans' requests for interviews. Fans attended theatrical events and met the actors backstage, toured the show set, and sent showrunners and actors their fanworks. TPTB were very involved in encouraging fans to promote the show to the press and CBS in letters, phone calls and other venues.
In the beginning, fans' comments and reactions about the show and its creators had been almost universally appreciative, and they were extremely generous in their praise. But as the show struggled in the ratings, fans began to become wary about the show's future. The 1988 writers' strike and ensuing disruption made for choppy waters, and the show's poor reception in dismissive, clueless mainstream reviews made fans angry. Fans were also receiving increasingly contradictory messages from TPTB regarding the show's direction in terms of plot and characterization, changes that came to a head in the third season, causing the fandom to implode.
In 1989, Ron Koslow and other TPTB warned fans that changes were coming: "Proceed with us in the spirit of adventure, I don't think you'll be disappointed There's going to be rich rewards in store." from Pipeline v.2 n.9 (September 1989) Fans became especially leery about these and similar, statement's about the TPTB's decision to "retool" the show to include more elements of action and less exploration of relationships, a modification that was planned in order to bring back fans that had "gone astray" and to appeal more to a male demographic.
As many fans became furious and anxious and showed their anger and displeasure in a variety of ways, executives and showrunners began to regret their thin boundaries with fans and fandom. Their harnessing of fandom attention and power had its uses, but TPTB had underestimated the alarming fervor and relentlessness of fans. Koslow asked fans to "have some dignity" "Ron Koslow's relayed wishes that "the fans have some dignity and not boycott." -- from Pipedreams (July/August 1989) and to not be "hysterical" and "paranoid" in their public and private support of the show. "I really perceive an hysteria and a real paranoia that isn't justified, at least not yet." -- from Ron Koslow in Pipeline v.2 n.9 (September 1989), and to stop their "harassment" of the networks, actors, and showrunners. "Producer Howard Gordon during his Q&A at the Creation convention in San Jose, CA August 19th, 1989 reportedly advised the assemblage that CBS had virtually requested that the producers ask the fans to please stop writing (according to one source 3,000 plus letters a week since May)! Later on, Mr. Gordon cautioned against outright harassment of CBS. -- from Pipeline v.2 n.10 (October 1989)
Many fans found solace in fanworks to tell the story they wanted to hear with stories, poems, and art that deviated from canon in a variety of ways that jettisoned the TPTB's vision. Fans also focused on the long-hinted at movie, hoping Ron Koslow and company would eventually give them what they wanted. Other fans, disappointed and exasperated, left the fandom completely.
The show itself had declining ratings and was cancelled after a very abbreviated third season.
==Enter Stage Right: Some of the Players==
* Ron Koslow (general head honcho and producer)
* George R.R. Martin (writer, producer)
* Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon (writers) (referred to as "the lads") “'The lads' we called them. They were just starting out in the business" -- 2017 comments by George R.R. Martin at George R. R. Martin on Writing TV’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’: “It Was Such a Smart Show”
* Ron Perlman (actor)
* Linda Hamilton (actor)
* Roy Dotrice (actor)
* Jeff Sagansky (president of CBS Entertainment)
* David Schwartz (coordinating producer)
* Linda Campanelli and M.M. Shelly Moore (writers)
* Ray Faiola (Director of Audience Services, CBS)
==Original Enchantment==
Many fans fell in love with the show for its portrayal of a sensitive Vincent Wells who quoted poetry, had a sensual voice, a long mane of hair, and a mysterious origin. They extolled the romantic relationship between Catherine Chandler and her beast and felt that the show was the antidote to what they considered coarse, crass, and shallow offerings offered on their television screens.
===TPTB Knows Our Hearts===
Some fan comments:
===TPTB Reads Our Fanzines, Looks at Our Art... But Doesn't Want Our Scripts===
thumb|In late 1989, Sharon Wells put out the word that she wanted her personal copy of her own zine The Book of Secrets #4 returned: "I accidentally sent some lucky reader my own copy of "The Book of Secrets IV", with Ron's autograph on page six. If you are that person and wish to make a bargain, I would love to get it back. Please contact me." from the editorial of The Book of Secrets #5 
TPTB acknowledged and supported non-fiction fanzines. While there wasn't a lot of fiction printed directly in these publications, there was a lot of exposure to fanfiction in them in the form of discussion of story ideas and such, reviews of zines, and many ads for fanworks.
In 1988, Ron Koslow was in the loop in the planning of Pipeline, a newsletter that became highly influential. The editor of that newsletter said: 
In late 1988, Koslow told a reporter that he and the writers read all fan publications, and they that took fans' comments very seriously, incorporating them into the show itself: 
 
In October 1988, George R.R. Martin spoke of personally reading fanzines: 
In 1989, one editor wrote: 
In 1989, another fan thanked Koslow for his support of her fiction and art zine, The Book of Secrets: 
In 1989, Ron Koslow was quoted about the show's retooling and different direction in the third season: 
Ron Koslow continued to read fan publications at least into 1990. The editor of a newsletter added at the end of an interview with him: 
TPTB interacted with fan art on many occasions, posing in front them for photos at conventions, helping auction off fanworks in auctions, and hanging out in dealer's rooms.
Fanart:
In 1990 at a Creation Con, one BNF artist presented Ron Perlman with a racy illo of Vincent Wells: 
It wasn't all roses, though. In early 1991, after the show had ended, "Republic Pictures" and "Carolco" tried to reign in fan-created merchandise. See The Beauty and the Beast Cease and Desist Letters.
In 2014, Stephanie A. Wiltse wrote in her blog:
But while most fanworks had a high visibility with TPTB, scripts were discouraged: In October 1988, fans were asked to quit sending scripts and ideas to TPTB:
A fan, Kay Simon, reminisces about Ron Koslow and a phone call he made to her: 
===TPTB Come to Our Cons===
Many of the actors, producers, writers and other people who worked on the show attended and interacted with fans at conventions with fans. Some of these were fan-run cons, but most were for for-profit Creation Cons. The only fan-run con that Linda Hamilton attended appears to be the 2010 Haply I Think On Thee. .
File:inout24-1.jpg| from Once Upon a Time... Is Now #24, three BNF Beauty and the Beast (TV) fans and George R.R. Martin at Archon in 1990
File:inout22-1.jpg| from Once Upon a Time... Is Now #22, the editors of this letterzine and Roy Dotrice at a Creation Con in March 1990
File:inout27-1.jpg| Ron Perlman and two fans from what appears to be the show's set, printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now #27 (November 1990)
File:inout27-2.jpg| a fan and Armin Shimerman at TunnelCon, printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now #27 (November 1990)
File:inout47-1.jpg| Jo Anderson (Diana Bennett) and a fan at the Masquerades convention in England, from Once Upon a Time... Is Now #47 (June 1993)
File:inout49-1.jpg| Edward Albert (Elliot Burch) and fans at Great Expectations, printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now #49
File:inout5-1.jpg| Ron Koslow and a fan at the 1988 Viewers for Quality Television Awards, photo printed in Once Upon a Time...Is Now #5
File:inout-15.jpg| Jay Avocone (Joe Maxwell) and fans, possibly at the record signing with Ron Perlman at Sam Goody in New York City, printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now #15
===TPTB Grants Us Things Other Shows Do Not===
Fans were asked for their input in the LP Of Love and Hope:
Listening to fickle fans and their requests:
From the editor of a letterzine: 
More than the usual TV show:
Participatory inclusion:
Thanks for the photos and letters:
Thanks for the drinks:
Thanks for the card:
Thanks for returning my calls:
Thanks for your personal encouragement:
Thanks for your dreams: 
===TPTB Treats Fans as Human Beings===
==Danger at the Gate: Support, Demographics, and Gender==
 
The show's ratings were too low. Ron Koslow told reporters that "you are going to be seeing more danger, more momentum in the stories and some big surprises."
It was decided that the show need to be more appealing to males:
The show was not, however, cancelled. Instead it was "retooled." See much more about "Beauty and the Beast" and audience, gender, and power at Retooling.
Roy Dotrice tried to explain some of the gendered "retooling" to fans. From a Q&A session at the Creation Con in Minneapolis on October 21st & 22nd, (Nov/Dec 1989): 
From a fan in 2006: 
The network decided there was too much emphasis on Vincent and Catherine:
This retooling was not popular with fans:
===Fans Tell Fans: Don't Complain!===
===Fans Tell Fans to Trust TPTB: They Won't Betray Us===
===Fans Tell Fans: Don't Hurt TPTB's Feelings===
===TPTB-Speak===
Fans scoured newspapers, television broadcasts, and con appearances as they looked for clues regarding the future of their show. Several of TPTB's phrases and words stood out and were featured prominently in letters and other rallying calls. Many fans came to despise these terms and what they meant.
===="Nay-Sayer"====
"Nay-Sayer," a term used by Stephanie Wiltse of Pipeline, as well as Roy Dotrice, caused fannish divisions and was fuel to the fire.
Many fans who did not like or support the third season of the show took umbrage at being labeled as a "nay-sayer" because they felt they were shown in a negative light.
A fan wrote: 
See more at Nay-Sayer.
===="More Bittersweet"====
"More bittersweet" was a phrase Ron Koslow used in an article that appeared in TV Guide.
===="Retooling"====
See much more about this topic at Retooling.
"Retooling" was a term first used by Kim LeMasters in late July 1989. As reported in Pipedreams (July/August 1989): "LeMasters gave an awkward, defensive little speech about "retooling" BATB because it is a "precious commodity" to the network."
Roy Dotrice, who portrayed Father, tried to explain some of the "retooling" to fans. From a Q&A session at the Creation Con in Minneapolis on October 21st & 22nd: 
Many fans were suspicious of the term, "retooling," off the bat, and these suspicions were later confirmed.
===="Richly Rewarded"====
"Richly rewarded" has its origins in an interview with Ron Koslow in Pipeline.
===="Relative Few"====
"Relative few" came from an interview with Ray Faiola (Director of Audience Services, CBS), in which he soundly dismissed fans' letter campaigns. From Pipeline Interview with Ray Faiola: Letters... and the Eye of the Beholder (February 1989): 
Stephanie Wiltse, the fan who'd conducted the interview with Faiola later addressed fans with these comments about "relative few":
In January 1990, a fan wrote: 
The phrase angered fans due to its dismissiveness, and it how, to them, it appeared TPTB were either tone-deaf or not being truthful with their public statements. One example of this was in May 1990 in an article in Starlog which had an interview by Ron Koslow: 
==Betrayers! ==
See The Beauty and the Beast Wars.
The third season, to many fans, was distressing. They felt betrayed and powerless and turned their ire on who they felt was responsible.
From Textual Poachers (1992):
===Betrayers! The Networks and the Evil "Suits"===
===Betrayer!: Ron Koslow===
 
===Betrayer!: Linda Hamilton===
Most fans were supportive of the character, especially in the beginning. They saw Hamilton as an advocate for fandom and fans:
While there was nary a word of criticism for Ron Perlman and the character of Vincent Wells, the same was not for Linda Hamilton and her character, Catherine Chandler:
Something that likely didn't help fans' views about Hamilton were remarks Victor Lobl (director) made in an interview when describing which actor Lobl thought was the easiest to work with. He chose Perlman, mentioning Perlman's dedication and sense of humor. Regarding Hamilton, he said: 
Hamilton's popularity with fans was also negatively affected by some remarks Hamilton made about fans, and this was something that became a topic of strife: 
Hamilton, unlike some of the other TPTB, did not attend conventions From Pipeline v.3 n.8/9: "We started sending out preliminary letters inviting everyone to Tunnelcon that was associated with the show. Our first decline came from Linda Hamilton's agent. We expected this because Linda does not do conventions." and generally did not interact with fans in other way. This may likely created a distance between fans and Hamilton, and without these "personal" moments, fans were less forgiving of her.
While some fans were supportive of Hamilton, others were not. This came to a head when it was hinted, then officially announced, that Hamilton was leaving the show, citing her pregnancy as a reason. Fans became much more vocal in their dislike of Hamilton herself. This criticism from fans, at least the vocal ones, entwined Linda Hamilton's departure from the show with increasing frustration with Catherine Chandler's characterization:
In 1992, Edward Albert (Elliot Burch) said: 
In 2017, George R.R. Martin said: 
===Betrayers! Republic and Carolco===
See The Beauty and the Beast Cease and Desist Letters.
In early 1991, two fans (Kay Brinkley and Lynette Combs) who produced zines were sent cease and desist letters by "Republic Pictures," the entity that owned the rights to Beauty and the Beast (TV).
The letters, of course, caused much consternation and fannish discussion regarding the legality of fanworks, fear of being sued or harassed, questions about why the letters were sent, and future actions against fans.
===Betrayers! The Family Channel===
See Beauty and the Beast and The Family Channel Controversies.
The Family Channel, a cable channel, was the first to buy the rights to broadcast the newly-syndicated episodes of Beauty and the Beast (TV). The show aired there beginning in September 1990.
Controversy One: The Family Channel showed the episodes "out of order," therefore altering continuity and perceived characterization.
Controversy Two: The Family Channel edited, or removed, scenes they considered offensive, non-Christian, and did not portrayal "family values." There was also a proposal to add and/or manipulate original footage in the third season to show Vincent Wells and Catherine Chandler getting married, therefore "legitimizing" the birth of their baby. Another proposal or rumor is that The Family Channel would removed any mention or scene with the baby.
In the end, The Family Channel simply did not air the last episode of the second season, certain "offensive" episodes, or the entire third season all together.
===Betrayers? Linda Campanelli and M.M. Shelly Moore (Not So Much!)===
A fan dedicated her zine, Definitions of Love #2, to Linda and Shelley: 
A fan commented about meeting these two writers at Star Con Denver (Fall 1989):
From a fan's con report for The International Beauty and the Beast Convention (1989):
A fan commented about meeting these two writers at Fan-Out (1990):
===Betrayers!: All of TPTB (But Not Ron Perlman!)===
Many fans felt manipulated, unappreciated, and screwed over.
Fan anger about the changing characterizations, the "retooling" to add more action in order to attract a more male demographic, and the loss of Catherine Chandler was mostly put on the shoulders of Ron Koslow and the network "suits." George R.R. Martin was mostly spared, perhaps because fans found him mysterious and perhaps a bit intimidating. Fans also, to a much lesser extent, left Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa alone. Howard Gordon and Alex Gansa's footprint in fandom was tiny. One example of some interaction was a 1989 interview with Howard Gordon
=== Never, Never Ron Perlman!===
Ron Perlman almost entirely escaped the wrath of fans' criticism. Not just the man himself, but the beast, too; Perlman said in August 1988 in his acceptance speech at the VQT Awards: "I thank Ron Koslow for giving me the opportunity to play somebody that can do no wrong." -- as reported in Pipeline v.1 n.6 (November 1989)
A rare miss-step in the eyes of a fan:
===And Stop Calling Rodney!===
Ron Perlman's agent was not a fan of fans.
===Betrayers! Each Other -- The Good, True Fans vs. Bad, Ill-Behaved Fans===
An extreme dichotomy was set: Good fans were true fans filled with with blind devotion, loyalty, adoration, and true love. Bad fans were close-minded, ungrateful, nay-sayers. This created factions that pitted many fans against each other.
===TBTB and Catherine Chandler's "Misogynistic" Death===
Linda Hamilton herself was close to term at the time of filming, and the character of Catherine Chandler was murdered shortly after giving birth.
Some fans were also very suspicious that Hamilton's character was killed in a misogynistic and brutal way, one they suspected TPTB angrily wrote in order to punish Hamilton for the complications her pregnancy and for what her departure from the show made them deal with. This was later confirmed by TPTB themselves.
Fan also commented upon the general misogynistic elements of the show:
====Fan Comments Regarding Catherine's Death====
====Fan's Suspicions Confirmed====
Not long after the show ended, producer Howard Gordon, executive producer Steve Kurzfeld, and musician Don Davis explained to twenty-five fans in a three-hour class/discussion on February 18, 1994 at an adult education center called the Learning Tree, in Chatsworth, CA, how Linda Hamilton's departure caused the writers to subject Catherine Chandler to a brutal, and misogynistic, death:
==Mixing Worlds: Fans and TPTB Got Too Close to Each Other==
The relationship between fans and TPTB was unusually close. Fans were given a lot of access in the form of interviews, con appearances, and insider information.
Pipedreams v.2 n.10 included a poem written by an CBS employee. It was in response to a letter (which included haiku poetry) a fan, Betty N, had sent to CBS regarding the tentative return of the show to the airwaves:
Stephanie A. Wiltse scolds another fan with whom she is feuding: 
===Fan Fervor and "The Dumpster Brigade"===
In January 1989, a fan admonished and accused another fan of getting show information off the set from the trash:
George R.R. Martin also addressed The Dumpster Brigade topic in a 1992 interview in Lionheart:
===Fan Fervor and Dead Roses===
Emotions were high and angry. One fan sent a bouquet of dead roses to Witt/Thomas in protest of the third season changes.
Fans' comments:
===Fan Access to TPTB and Resulting Jealousies===
One fan's good fortune (and ability to leverage power) however, could lead to resentment among fellow fans. One newsletter editor in 1989 describes in great detail her personal tour of the set, and the dynamics she experienced: 
But other fans appreciated the power and information certain fans had: 
 
===TPTB and Fan Suspicions Regarding Their Image ===
Stephanie A. Wiltse told fans their (and her) attempts to be a better fandom had failed: 
==Fan Empowerment: Mixed Messages==
===Fans: No Power===
===Fans: Perceived Power===
===Fans: Actual Power===
===TBTB Tells Fans: Write Letters! Be Active and Assertive!===
TPTB fanned the fans, encouraged them to write letters and thanked them for their support:
===TBTB Tells Fans: But Don't Be That Active and Assertive===
But the TPTB, when they realized the volume and nature of this support, told fans to stop, or at least modify their tactics.
After learning of the show's first cancellation, fans relayed this message in summer 1989 from Ron Koslow:
Another request to fans, "please stop writing":
Fans were also told their letters and calls were ineffectual. In February 1989, Ray Faiola of CBS told fans: 
In a single issue of Pipeline, fans were simultaneously given some credit for their support when the canceled show was picked up by The Family Channel,"Tim Robertson, Family Channel President, said he was delighted to add "Beauty and the Beast" to the Family Channel schedule. "The amount of encouragement we have received from both fans and the advertising community is truly amazing," he said, citing the hundreds of letters from elated viewers who heard rumors of the show heading for The Family Channel." and then also told to back off:
===TPTB Tells Fans: Your Efforts Really Matter ===
Roy Dotrice's 1989 comments at the Beauty and the Beast Creation Con in Minneapolis on October 21st & 22nd: 
In May 1989, George R.R. Martin was quoted in a newspaper article: 
In May 1989, Koslow said: 
In 1990, David Poltrack, a CBS senior vice president for planning and research wrote: 
From a March 1990 press release by Republic: 
A fan referenced Starlog magazine and wrote:
As quoted in the book, Textual Poachers: Television Fans and Participatory Culture:
From a 1995 con report for A Distant Shore (Beauty and the Beast convention), where Republic Pictures' President and CEO was a guest: 
===TPTB Tells Fans: Actually, Your Efforts Never Really Mattered===
From "Conversation with a Net Exec" (1989): 
After some of the dust settled, TPTB told fans their efforts didn't really matter.
In 1991, Stephanie A. Wiltse reported: 
In a 1992 interview in Lionheart, George R.R. Martin said: 
===Fandom, Money, and Sponsors===
Also see Viewers for Quality Television.
Fans supported and wrote letters to sponsors. Sometimes this was a measurable activity, and sometimes fans' support was one grain of sand on a beach.
One example of direct influence was in the form of a letter forwarded and printed in Pipeline v.2 n.8 (August 1989) from a fan who'd gotten a response from the manager of the Passenger Car Advertising Chevrolet Motor Division, General Motors Corporation:
====Fans' Support of Sponsors====
====Realizing That Fans ARE the Product====
See more about sponsors, gender, and power at Retooling.
==Fanworks in Direct Response==
File:pipedreamsjulyaug-2.jpg|a sonnet printed in Pipedreams (July/August 1989)
File:Pipedreams3-3-1.jpg|a poem printed in Pipedreams (May/June 1990)
File:onceuponatimeisnowandforever.jpg|part of a poem printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now (~ December 1992, special issue)
File:bobbyewingflowers.jpg| A limerick by a fan, the reference to Bobby Ewing in the shower is a nod to the Dallas Dream Season and the creativity and ridiculousness of TPTB's decision-making. The pregnancy flower reference is to the show's lava and roses scene. It was printed in Once Upon a Time... Is Now (~ December 1992, special issue).
File:dearmrkoslow.jpg|an open letter in poem form by Lynette Combs, see "Dear Mr. Koslow"
==Similar Thin Fandom Boundaries==
See also: TPTB's Involvement with Fandom/Specific Fandoms
* The Blake's 7 Wars
* Gene Roddenberry and Star Trek, see He Utilized Fans, Fans Utilized Him
* J. Michael Straczynski and Babylon 5, see Why are you here?, a 1995 open letter
* Darkover (and the Marion Zimmer Bradley Fanfiction Controversy)
* Kip Carpenter and Robin of Sherwood, see particularly Robin of Sherwood Fandom and Slash Fanworks
* Buffy fandom and The Bronze Posting Board
* Supernatural and its frequent breaches of the fannish fourth wall
==Further Reading==
===Meta: By Fans===
* Well, CBS has done it to us again. by Dianne Hellerling (1989)
* Now the relationship which inspired millions is gone. by Kay Simon (1989)
* How do you make sense of something that doesn’t make sense? by Judith Ley Page (1989)
* Let me present you with a quick primer on interpretation, fandom, and manners. by 'Nea Dodson (1989)
* Beauty and the Beast's Maelstorm of Mail by Stephanie Wiltse (1989)
* I have wrestled long and hard with my conscience whether to reveal what went on behind the scenes of fandom itself during the last several months. by Stephanie Wiltse (1989)
* Open Letter to Beauty and the Beast Fans by Kathy Cox (1990)
* I see no need to allow the decisions of the ever-shortsighted network sheep to effect me, my zine, or how I feel... by Alayne Gelfand (1990)
* The Lifeline Letter by Diane Davis, Pamela Garrett, Carole Olson, Karen Silliman, and Kathy Trapani (1990)
* These are difficult times for BEAUTY AND THE BEAST in the world Above. by Barbara L.B. Storey (1990)
* All I can see of fandom is something that was once beautiful which has now become painful and almost unbearable. by Beth Blighton (1991)
* Notice to All Naysayers by Stephanie A. Wiltse (1991)
* Wot, No Third Season by Janet Kilbourne (1994)
=== Comments by TPTB===
* the actors and writer's comments in Pipeline and other letterzines, at presentations and Q&A sessions at cons
* Lionheart Exclusive Interview: George R.R. Martin (1992)
===Mainstream Press===
==References==
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