Xena

The producers of the syndicated TV show "Xena: Warrior Princess" have agreed not to rerun a recent episode after numerous Hindu organizations complained it belittled Hindu gods. "The Way," which aired in late February, featured characters based on Hindu deities, including one who was punched in the face and hit by Xena. In March, several Hindu groups protested in front of Universal Studios, whose TV division distributes "Xena" internationally.

A delegation of more than 200 Hindus sought a meeting with Universal Studios executives Monday to express concern over what the group considers to be derogatory depictions of Hindu deities in the action television series "Xena: Warrior Princess." Although the Los Angeles delegation was rebuffed, executives of the studio, which owns and distributes the show, said a separate group of Hindus met Monday with the "Xena" producers in New Zealand, where the show is taped.

Lucy Lawless, star of the syndicated "Xena: Warrior Princess," and her husband, Rob Tapert, the show's executive producer, have purchased a Studio City home for $1.5 million. Lawless, 30, and Tapert, 43, were married in March. They also have a home in her native New Zealand, where her series is filmed. Lawless previously appeared on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," which Taper also produces.

An actress named Hunter Tylo won a $5-million verdict against Spelling Entertainment Group after she got fired from the hilarious TV comedy, I mean drama, "Melrose Place." The verdict was upheld Wednesday by an L.A. Superior Court judge, who also told Spelling to pick up Tylo's $900,000 tab for lawyer fees. Tylo was supposed to play a vixen. Spelling didn't want a pregnant vixen. Spelling had nothing against pregnant vixens in general. Pregnant vixens have rights, same as any other vixens.

Decades before Linda Hamilton muscled up for "Terminator 2," Pudgy Stockton was developing better biceps than most men. She was supporting her husband, Les--not financially, but in high hands-to-hands and other gymnastic maneuvers learned at a place called Muscle Beach. Now Pudgy, 80, and Les, 81, live in a Santa Monica apartment less than a mile from the site of the original Muscle Beach (closed in 1959).

As a longtime Republican, Donald Mitchell has been to plenty of conventions. He watched Ronald Reagan win his first nomination for governor in 1966. He volunteered at San Diego in 1996. But until Saturday, the retired 67-year-old insurance salesman had never been to a single convention where he got to put his arm around a buxom, blue-eyed brunet with 3-inch heels, body armor and a wood-and-leather bustier. Then again, Mitchell had never been to a Xena convention before.

At first when I read Anne Beatts' story about the television character Xena, I thought it was a spoof ("Princess of the Xeitgeist," Nov. 30). But I now see she actually feels that Xena is an important role model for girls and women today. Let me get this straight: A completely empty-headed, ambiguously sexed Amazon whose claim to fame is the ability to use any object as a weapon, beat up men and kill monsters is an apt role model and hero for today's girls and women? I suggest that Beatts visit her local library.

Growing up in the '50s, I longed to be a swashbuckling adventurer like my favorite movie heroes. The problem was back then women didn't get to buckle any swashes. So I couldn't decide whether I wanted to be Errol Flynn or marry him. Now the choice is clear. I want to be Xena, Warrior Princess--though in a pinch I'd settle for her comely blond sidekick, Gabrielle. Xena kicks butt. Literally.

Don't look now, but a parade of strange characters is trying to battle their way into your living room. With "Xena: Warrior Princess" and "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" delivering smashing ratings, weekends are now crammed chock-full of superheroes, mythological figures, aliens and cool cars, all seeking to become the next action franchise. Competition has grown increasingly fierce, not only for viewers but also for time slots.