BURGI'S CHEMICAL REACTION - Sept 22

TV Gen Sci-Fi/Fantasy News

The following article by John Walsh is the lead story on this week's Sci-Fi/Fantasy News page of TV GEN:

Burgi's Chemical Reaction

"It's like a family up here," Richard Burgi says from The Sentinel's Vancouver set. "I love these people." When the supernatural action series was missing from UPN's fall lineup, "I took it kind of personally at first," he recalls. "I guess any actor would."

Fans took it personally, too, mounting phone, e-mail and postal campaigns to save the show. "I had a feeling something like that might happen," Burgi says. "Our fans are very vociferous and enthusiastic." As a result, The Sentinel is back in production and will air as a UPN midseason replacement. "I think it's a really interesting indication of how networks don't always understand the public's appetites," Burgi says.

What appeals most to Sentinel fans, the actor thinks, is chemistry. "You know, we're in these occasionally implausible situations, but there's such a strong bond among the cast that we can make it work." Costar Garett Maggart had already been cast as anthropologist Blair Sandburg when Burgi read for the show. "And Garett and I just kind of clicked right away," Burgi says. "Whatever we had - chemistry, I guess - it seems to work."

 

(Thanks Lee Ann)

SCIENCE FICTION WEEKLY ARTICLE - Sept 21

The Sep 21 issue of Science Fiction Weekly at http://www.scifiweekly.com features an article about the science fiction shows in the new fall season.

The Sentinel is featured in their 'returning shows' listing as follows:

The Sentinel
UPN
Midseason Replacement

When The Sentinel wasn't renewed after a heartbreaking cliffhanger, fans leapt into action. They flooded UPN and Paramount with phone calls, faxes and e-mails. With the actors' contracts about to expire, fans pooled their money to create a media campaign that would force the powers that be to listen. Through the "Save Our Sentinel" campaign, fans sent out press releases across the country and even purchased an ad in the Lifestyle section of USA Today. When the series was finally acknowledged as a mid- season replacement, the fans placed another ad (in The Hollywood Reporter) thanking UPN and Paramount.

Prediction: While the fan campaign undoubtedly didn't hurt in UPN's decision to continue with the series, The Sentinel performed respectably enough last season. With UPN going to five nights of programming, it's not going to hurt to have a show with a strong fan base in the wings.

 

(Thanks Lianne & Deborah)

SENTINEL LETTER IN TV GUIDE - Sept 21

The following letter appears in the current issue of TV Guide (Sept. 26-Oct. 2):

Re: Returning Series Issue

"No! Say it ain't so! The Adventures of Sinbad, FX: The Series, and The Sentinel are not on the returning series list. You might as well just rip the remote out of my hand and tell me Bambi's mom is dead."

Jospeh Jerry Crumpler III
Kenley, NC

You can email TV Guide - feedback@newscorp.com or send them a letter at:

TV Guide
Box 500
Radnor, PA 19088-0500

(Thanks Ruth)

4TH SEASON FILMING UPDATE - Sept 16

PLEASE NOTE: The following update includes plot details for Season 4 of The Sentinel. So if you don't want to know, don't read any further, just be assured that new episodes are being filmed now.

We thank Danny Bilson, The Sentinel's Executive Producer for the following.

Sentinel, Too (Part 2)
Will bring back Alex Barnes (Jeri Ryan) and take the production on location to the Mayan ruins in Mexico. Aussie Inspector Megan Conner will also return, as will Incacha (The Chopec Shaman from the episode "Warriors"). Pet Fly promise us that this episode will delve deeper into Sentinel mythology than ever before -- mysticism, ancient pyramids, jaguars etc. The details of this episode are being kept strictly under wraps. The production company are awaiting the availability of Jeri Ryan and this episode is yet to be filmed.

Four Point Shot
Is a sequel to both the first season episode Siege and the third season episode Three Point Shot.

Garrett Kincaid (Siege) escapes from prison and takes over a Basketball Stadium filled with 18,000 people. Blair, Simon and his son Darryl are trapped on the inside, while Jim and Joel Taggart are trying to rescue them from the outside. This is the episode currently shooting. It is again being directed by Danny Bilson who directed both Siege and Three Point Shot.

Murder 101
Murder 101 features some "very bad students". Blair loses his cool and Jim tries to help his friend through some serious trouble at Rainier University. The University Chancellor isn't thrilled with Sandburg's attendance records over the last three years. The filming on this episode has already been completed.

Dead End on Blank Street
Will be filmed in a film noir pastiche style. Complete with Ellison voice-overs, Black and White flashbacks and an Internal Affair's investigator who has evidence that could take both Jim and Blair out of the Department.

The Real Deal
An ex TV detective thinks he's as good as the character he once played on the air. He is teamed with our guys and proceeds to drive them nuts.

The remaining three episodes are still in development.

If you want more, visit our Targets Page and find out how you can add your voice to the legion of fans who are campaigning for more episodes and to raise the profile of The Sentinel. Whether it be sending a few quick emails or helping to write, phone and fax our targets, WE NEED YOU NOW!

SENTINEL LETTER IN NEW PEOPLE MAGAZINE - Sept 14

In response to a recent article on celebrities who were turning/had turned forty this year, Sharon had the following letter which published in PEOPLE Magazine (Sept 21 print issue). The letter reads:

"You left out Richard Burgi, star of The Sentinel. This man has a body like a brick wall! If my ex-husband looked this good at 20 we would probably still be together.

Sharon Dedman, Louisville, KY"

SENTINEL COVERAGE IN NEW SCI-FI MAGAZINE - Sept 11

FROM Sci-Fi tv
Premiere Issue
Oct. 1998 #1

Welcome to Sci-Fi TV page (Pg. 10)

Although not on UPN's fall schedule, The Sentinel has not been cancelled. UPN has ordered 13 episodes for mid-season. No word yet on how the series' cliffhanger premiere will be resolved.

The issue also included info on Richard Burgi's upcoming made for TV movie, UPN's I Married a Monster, but he was credited as "Richard Burg" (sic).

Sci-Fi TV is published bi-monthly by:
Starlog Communications International, Inc.
475 Park Avenue South, 9th Flr.
NY, NY 10016
(Next issue on sale Oct. 20)

(thanks Mick C.)

MORE ON RICHARD BURGI'S MONSTER MOVIE - Sept 10

This made for television movie will head up UPN's new Thursday Night at the Movies, now curiously no longer known as the "Way Out There Movie Night". I MARRIED A MONSTER Starring Richard Burgi (Nick) and Susan Walters (Kelly) OCTOBER 8, 1998 From 8 - 10 pm ET/PT on UPN. Soon after their marriage, Kelly Drummond realizes there's something otherworldly about her new husband Nick and, when other men begin behaving like him, she knows it's up to her to fight the beast who's taking over the town in I Married A Monster, the premiere of "UPN's Thursday Night at the Movies", airing Thursday, October 8 on UPN. Kelly (Susan Walters) is happy with her new husband, Nick (Richard Burgi) before she realizes exactly what she's married. After their friend dies in a freak boating accident, Kelly is disturbed by the response from her husband Nick.

(Thanks Ann)

MADE FOR TV MONSTER - Sept 9

The TV Guide Fall Preview of 'Made for TV' movies lists the following air date for Richard Burgi's new movie for UPN:

I Married a Monster (UPN, October 8) The honeymoon ends a bit sooner than expected for new bride Kelly Drummond (Susan Walters) when she realizes that her husband (Richard Burgi) has been possessed by an alien.

SENTINEL MENTION IN BRITISH SF MAGS - Sept 2

From DREAMWATCH MAGAZINE - Number 48 - August 1998 (page 6)

Dedicated fans of The Sentinel have won a reprieve for the series. Fans bombarded UPN'S switchboards with complaints at its cancellation, and took out a full-page advert in USA TODAY, protesting, "When UPN said no," the fans said no way!"

Apparently shocked by the level of response, at the end of June UPN relented and announced that, due to "popular demand from its fervent fans," it had ordered an additional 13 episodes, which would return as a mid-season replacement.

From TV ZONE - Issue 105 - August 1998 (Page 8)
Excerpt from "US Scene" section of "News":

Partially due to public demand, UPN has decided to commission a midseason fourth season of The Sentinel comprising 13 episodes. UPN Entertainment President Tom Nunan quipped, "aside from the legion of loyal Sentinel fans who have bombarded our office with tens of thousands of phone calls, I think the happiest person to hear the news is the UPN switchboard operator!"

Voyager's Jeri Ryan featured prominently in the third season finale as Alex and could make a return appearance.

The article includes a small color picture of Richard Burgi.

The following addresses will assist you in contacting these magazines with feedback on their coverage of The Sentinel and to add your voice to the push for the show to screen in the UK.

(Thanks Kathy, Kaci and Michelle)

SENTINEL FEATURED AGAIN ON COP TV WEBSITE - Sept 2

Cop TV's latest issue of "Blue News" (#36, 8/25/98) has a write up of CouverCon as follows:

Sentinel Star and Others in Charity Event

The Sentinel stars Richard Burgi and Garett Maggart will make an appearance at Couver Con 98, a benefit for the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. The event will be held Fri. Oct 23, to Oct 25, and will also feature stars from Highlander: The Series, as well as Leigh Taylor Young and Tim Thomerson. Couver Con 98 is the first in a series of fan conventions featuring stars, producers and writers for television programs and films produced in the Vancouver, British Columbia, area. Details and registration information can be found by calling 818-413-2380.

 

The article is accompanied by a pic of Richard Burgi.

Below that in the regular feature entitled Cop TV Show Rankings (8/17 - 8/23) The Sentinel is also mentioned as an improving performer.

Web admin Greg Baerg coptv.guide@miningco.com has been very supportive of the SOS campaign. If you haven't seen this website before, it's a wonderful resource to keep track of your favorite cop shows.

(Thanks Mick and Mal)

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