Shannen's cancer

[Tim]

Shannen and her husband celebrate Fifth Anniversary in Mexico.

Nice to see Shannen relaxing, despite her illness. 

[BettyNewbie]

That's good to see. She needs to relax and enjoy life to its fullest. That will help her beat this disease.

[Tim]

She needs to relax and enjoy life to its fullest. That will help her beat this disease.

I agree.  I'm glad to see Shannen relaxing and having fun, considering what she's been through this past year.

[BettyNewbie]

Shannen is now undergoing radiation treatment.


We've heard several former 90210 and Charmed alums speak out in support for her (Jason Priestley, Ian Ziering, Alyssa Milano, Luke Perry, Jennie Garth), including two that she didn't even work with (Tiffani Thiessen, Rose McGowan). Two other friends of hers, Sarah Michelle Gellar and Kevin Smith, have also shown support.

But one person has been conspicuously silent: Holly Marie Combs.

Shannen is one of Holly's closest friends. The two have known each other since even before Charmed, and Holly would've never even landed the role of Piper if not for Shannen. Her life would be very different without Shannen, and you'd think she'd go all-out in showing support. I know I would be devastated if one of my best friends had cancer.

Yet, she hasn't said a single thing about it. The two haven't even been seen together since this past June, before Shannen shaved her head, and none of Holly's most recent interviews have even mentioned Shannen. She's also been completely silent about it on Twitter.

Why is Holly not speaking? Did something happen between them? Shannen supposedly mentioned in a recent interview with Chelsea Handler that she's lost friends because of her cancer, although she didn't mention Holly specifically.

[Tim]

Holly's silence on the matter is baffling.  Even if she and Shannen did have a falling out, you would think that Holly would be willing to let it go in this occasion.

Some believe that Alyssa was the reason Shannen got kicked off Charmed (I don't believe that, but that is entirely beside the point), yet there is Alyssa supporting Shannen.  If the two ladies ever did have issues, they made peace long ago.

So, what's going on, Holly?  Why aren't you supporting your friend in her time of need?

[BettyNewbie]

Holly's silence is especially striking when you compare it to what others have said in support of Shannen.


Rose McGowan:

Dear @theshando Someone made this of us & I wanted to share it with you as it made me reflect. We have a funny history. As young women we were pitted against each other for society's pleasure. The rules of Hollywood engagement brainwashed into us were truly vile. The men & brainwashed women in our business made it so we couldn't be friends, I regret that. We were cast in this weird fake reality show where we were supposed to be enemies. I resented it greatly. I regret not being awake enough to articulate this to you at the time. Fear was drilled into me from day one in this town & you were the barometer by which my behavior was judged. I was under a microscope, one false move and I'd be branded 'difficult' just like you. I think we all know what happens when girls here get out of line. I willfully remained enigmatic & unengaged. The Bad Girl Shaming you received at the hands of the media was merciless. Global media shaming is real AF, as you know. Fuck them all & their machine, too. You cast a long shadow over my life. We were both cast in a fake real life role, that of the Bad Girl. I had to prove I wasn't as bad as you or I'd get the axe, too. But we were never the bad ones, it was them., the Beige Brained White Dudes in Charge. Well fuck them. Damn them for fucking with our minds & careers just because their misogynistic belief systems couldn't sanction two strong females in a traditionally subservient role- actress. I refused to give them the cat fight they so wanted. Shannen, we didn't know it yet, but we were the good ones. Two boss young women that scared the 'faux-liberals in provincial Hollywood, for that sin we got burned at the media stake, egged on by Hollywood who believe the press they start. There was a strongly inferred threat of me being blacklisted in tv as I'd been in film. Instead of understanding that we were a different breed, they tried to crush us, but they couldn't. I send you strength. ⚒🛡#rosearmy #BRAVE #shannendoherty #typos4life

The two never worked together outside of a small scene in a forgotten late 90s B-movie, and they barely know each other. As far as I know, Rose had not even seen or spoken to her since 2004. Yet, Rose still cared enough to write out this long, powerful message of support.



Luke Perry:

None of us are up here today without Shannen. She’s been through a lot. She’s not doing well right now, but sometimes her contributions are minimized. She’s been thrown under the bus. I’ve been accused of driving it. But she’s a very big part of the success of this show. She taught me a lot. I’m glad she was my scene partner. She was great at what she did in the character with me.

Luke had not even seen or spoken to her since the 2003 90210 reunion, and the last time they acted together was way back in 1994.  Yet, he was close to tears when he said this at a recent 90210 reunion at REWindCon.



And, those two costars who are her supposed "enemies," Alyssa Milano and Jennie Garth?


Alyssa Milano:

I've reached out to her, yes, and I try to continue to reach out to her once a week. I tweeted, I [direct messaged] her and I obviously told her my concern and how everyone was on her side, and we're all supporting her, and she was very appreciative that I reached out, which was very sweet.

It's such a horrible, horrible, horrible, horrible illness, so to see anyone struggle like that in such a public way is heartwarming and gut-wrenching all at the same time.

Jennie Garth:

to my soul sister @theshando strongest lady i've ever known. then and now. i used to be threatened by your spirit, now i'm in awe of it. you've taught me a lot about speaking my mind and not being afraid of my power. i'm so grateful that young me got to be friends with you. but especially "old" me! the best is yet to come on this crazy journey!! love you! #fightlikeagirl #fightlikebrenda #aries

Where has her "best friend" been all this time?  The one who went on a reality show road trip through Americana with her a couple of years ago?  The one who saw her as a real big sister, who had been her best friend since even before Charmed?

Shannen didn't mention Holly specifically, but I can't help but wonder...

While her husband proved to be a rock, some of her friends bailed.

"People went, 'Um, no, you're just not fun anymore. You're sick and you're not drinking. You talk about cancer and I don't want to hear any talk about cancer. I want to talk about me.' It was heartbreaking. But at the same time, that's when I go, 'God, cancer is a godsend in a lot of ways because, boy, did it clean house in my life."

[Tim]

Shannen didn't mention Holly specifically, but I can't help but wonder...

While her husband proved to be a rock, some of her friends bailed.

"People went, 'Um, no, you're just not fun anymore. You're sick and you're not drinking. You talk about cancer and I don't want to hear any talk about cancer. I want to talk about me.' It was heartbreaking. But at the same time, that's when I go, 'God, cancer is a godsend in a lot of ways because, boy, did it clean house in my life."

If this is the case, then any respect I had for Holly goes right out the window.  It's not Shannen's fault that she's now terminally ill (her cigarette habit notwithstanding). 

Yes, Holly, she's sick, but she's also your friend, has been for years.  You should be standing by her, regardless.

[BettyNewbie]

Looking through Holly's Instagram, I can't help but notice that a lot of the pics of her and Shannen seem to be of them either partying or having fun at a convention. Could Holly really have just seen Shannen as an outlet for partytime and bailed when things started getting serious (aka. cancer)? It seems a little too coincidental that we stopped seeing them together around the time Shannen shaved her head.

Also, here's the last pic of them together to date. Take a look at the user comments--Ouch!

[adzpower]

I don't think Holly would be that shallow. As far as I can tell they've been close friends for almost 25 years, you don't just end a friendship like that because one of the pair gets cancer. Shannen may still make a full recovery. You guys are right though, it is strange how the two seem to have gone totally quiet with one another, or have they? Could it just be that they want to keep it private? It is very bizarre.

[Tim]

Holly could end all this speculation if she would just make an announcement of some kind.   If she wants to keep her feelings on this matter private, I can respect that.  She could just say:  "This is between Shannen and I." or words to those effect.

Her continued silence is only going to keep stoking the fires of rumour of a rift between the two women.

[adzpower]

I just find it hard to belive that they would end their friendship over something like this. Holly would truly have to be heartless to have done that. At this point in time it's just so weird.

[Tim]

I agree, it's weird. 

Holly really needs to make some kind of statement and clear this matter up.

[BettyNewbie]

Even if it wasn't because of cancer, there still may have been a rift between them for other reasons.

It's well-known that Shannen is a Republican (albeit, a moderate one), whereas Holly seems to lean far more to the left. Any other year, this wouldn't have caused issues for them, but 2016 had a tendency to bring out the worst in politics, whether it be Brexit or Orange Hitler. It was a grueling, outright ugly election, and it may have been enough to put a strain on Shannen and Holly's friendship.

Hard not to notice that Holly's Twitter has several posts related to politics, whereas most of Shannen's Tweets concern either cancer, animal welfare, or other things in her personal life.

[adzpower]

That's a good point Betty, it's a shame though when something like politics gets in the way of such a long friendship.

[Tim]

Right now politics is probably the last thing on Shannen's mind.  When you're facing death, your perspective on things changes. 

Holly should put whatever differences she had with Shannen aside.  Shannen could die, after all.