TV GUIDE'S
INSIDER REPORT

March 21-27, 1998

A MAN OF ACTION Triggerman-with-a-heart Michael Biehn takes aim at television success on The Magnificent Seven

Before saddling up op CBS's western series The Magnificent Seven (Saturdays, ( P.M./ET), Michael Biehn was best known for his performances in a couple of sci-fi films -- doing battle with a robotic Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Terminator" and blasting acid-spewing space bugs alongside Sigourney Weaver in "Aliens". Since both were directed by James Cameron, it comes as no surprise to learn that the actor will be rooting for his pal's latest megahit, "Titanic", come Oscar night. "I hope he wins them all," says the 41-year-old. "He's a brilliant director and a brilliant man. More than anything elsde, he just loves making movies." But Biehn can't honestly say that "Titanic" deserves Best picture. "I'm probably the only person in the United States who hasn't seen it," he confesses. "I go in at 5 and come home at 7:30. it doesn't leave much time for anything else." When he first signed on to Seven, Biehn did make time to rent the 1960 original and was disappointed. "The film was a shoot-'em-up, a bunch of tough guys running around acting tough," he explains, "but it didn't tug at my heart. I think the series we're doing has much more of an emotional content." He has himself to thank for that -- at least in part. "I put a lot more into the show than acting," says Biehn, who spends extra hours with the writers and directors before going home to his wiofe, model Gina Biehn. "I've always felt I had more to give than just going in and standing on my mark. This group of producers welcomes it. Artistically, it's been the most wonderful experience I've ever had." -- Mark Nollinger

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