Support Our Sentinel
- News Archive December 1998 -

 

 

LOOKING OUT FOR THE SENTINEL - Dec 30

The Jan/Feb 99 issue of Cinescape (with Buffy and Angel on the cover) features a four page full color article on the campaign for The Sentinel.

The article features interviews with Danny Bilson, Richard Burgi and SOS. As it contains spoiler information and photos from upcoming episodes we have not posted it to the main news page, but you can view the whole article and pictures here

(Thanks to Gena and Sherry for sending us the article so quickly)

 


SENTINEL ONLINE TRIVIA QUIZ - Dec 28

Visit the Rock Mall website at: http://www.rockmall.com/ and take The Sentinel Trivia quiz.

Not only can you test your Sentinel knowledge, you can also devise and submit questions to be added to the trivia quiz.

(Thanks Kay Lynne for her efforts in having The Sentinel added to this site)

 


ANOTHER MEDIA MENTION - Dec 28

From Sci-Fi TV Magazine

A brief mention of The Sentinel's return on their "Future Sci-Fi TV" page and an interview with James McCaffrey from Viper which featured the following:

Viper was created by executive producers Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, the team behind such series as The Sentinel, The Flash, Human Target and the movie The Rocketeer. The duo have a reputation for devising intriguing gimmicks which don't overshadow the actors.

The magazine can be contacted via email at: communications@starloggroup.com

or by regular mail:
SCI-FI TV
STARLOG Group
475 Park Avenue South
8th Floor
New York, NY 10015-6989

(Thanks Jen)

 


TELEVISION NETWORKS NEED TO TAKE STOCK - Dec 27

From an LA Times article
By Brian Lowry

The Picture Is Scrambled

Broadcasters are pondering their options in the face of big viewer defections. Should they aim for fragmented audiences or keep targeting the masses?

Read the full text of this article.

(Thanks Noon)

 


UPN LOOKING FOR NEW AD AGENCY - Dec 21

From Adweek
By Teresa Buyikian

UPN Looking Nationwide For an Agency

LOS ANGELES: The Lowest-rated broadcast TV network is soliciting agencies for some help with its advertising.

United Paramount Network has quietly launched a nationwide search for an agency to handle its estimated $15-20 million ad account, according to sources.

Advertising for the Los Angeles-based network's various programs has been handled in-house and by various creative boutiques and free-lance teams. But the company is unhappy with that work and is looking for outside help, sources said.

Struggles over creative control of the company's advertising have sometimes erupted in cases where outside resources were tapped to help the in-house team develop campaigns for UPN's series, sources said.

A client representative confirmed that national search, but declined to comment on billings or provide any further details. There is no consultant involved. Sources have said that marketing consultant Dana LeVan and executive vice president, Marketing Robert Rene will head up the search.

UPN has asked agencies to submit credentials by the end of the month, said one source. Some of those contacted are small to midsized creative shops.

After receiving the credentials, UPN executives are expected to winnow down the list to a small group of shops, which will be asked to make creative presentations.

UPN is available in about 84 percent of homes nationwide, and currently ranks behind ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox and the WB in terms of viewership. Its programming lineup includes shows such as Star Trek: Voyager, Love Boat: The Next Wave, Seven days, Moesha and Clueless.

Viacom and Chris-craft Industries, both New York, each own a 50 percent stake in the network.

UPN spent just over $9 million on advertising through the first nine months of this year, compared to over $22 million in all of 1997, according to competitive Media Reporting.
 
 

(Thanks Geri)

This news was also reported on Ultimate TV - Dec 26

UPN's Branding Campaign

In an attempt to stop its ratings decline, UPN is looking for an agency to create its first ever branding campaign. The network, whose ads going into fall season were attempting to broaden their demographic, is now searching for ads to reflect edgier alternative programming. UPN is considering a number of agencies coast to coast. "We are talking to a number of agencies for creative on a project-by-project basis," Robert Rene, UPN exec VP of marketing told Advertising Age. Viewership for this season through December 13 is down 35% to a 2 rating among all households, and within the 18-to-49 demo, viewership dropped 35% to a 1.2 rating. UPN hopes to hire an agency by late January. 

(Thanks Michelle)

 


SEASON FOUR EPISODE SYNOPSES - Dec 23

UPN has provided further details of the new season four episodes of The Sentinel.

To avoid spoiler information for those who wish to avoid any details about upcoming episodes, these synopses have been updated for the episodes through the Season Four Episode Guide page.

 


SENTINEL BLOWOUT IN NORTH VANCOUVER - Dec 21

North Shore News Vancouver, BC

BLOWOUT

(news photo Brad Ledwidge)

The old Thunderbird bowling alley temporarily took on a new facade as the makers of the TV series The Sentinel used it as a location last weekend. The scene featured an explosion that blew a van parked outside on to its side. The site will soon be cleared to make way for a highrise development scheduled to take shape in the new year. 

(Thanks Moz)

 


QUICK DUCK! IT'S DILBERT! - Dec 20

From Variety:

UPN has come up with a rather in-your-face way to promote its upcoming Dilbert premiere on Jan. 25. In the midst of several of its comedies, including Moesha, Clueless and DiResta, animated Dilbert and Dogbert icons randomly float down into the middle of scenes wearing parachutes emblazoned with Dilbert premieres Jan. 25.

After producers of some UPN shows from Columbia's competitors (including parent studio Paramount) complained about the wacky and somewhat jarring Dilbert interruptions, which have no relation to the show's plots, UPN is now attempting to limit Dilbert's appearances to the beginning or end of acts. 

(Thanks Laurie - who adds: Now if they'd just promote TS like this! I have a vision of tiny little Jims & Blairs in tiny little parachutes, floating down the screen. Blair, of course, is screaming all the way.)

 


SENTINEL TO RETURN A WEEK EARLIER ON JANUARY 18 - Dec 18

UPN has announced a revised schedule for the return of The Sentinel in January, with the series now due to return on Monday January 18.

The conclusion to last season's cliffhanger finale, is now due to air on Monday February 1, to be followed by a further four new episodes during the February sweeps month.

See below for the revised schedule. Spoiler warning if you wish to avoid even the names of the episodes.

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Jan 18 Switchman (pilot episode)
Jan 25 Sentinel, Too - Part One (third season cliffhanger)
Feb 1 Sentinel, Too - Part Two
Feb 8 Murder 101
Feb 15 Four Point Shot
Feb 22 Dead End on Blank Street
Mar 1 The Waiting Room

 


MIDSEASON A STRUGGLE - Dec 17

Sun-Sentinel, South Florida Online
by Tom Jicha -
TV and radio writer

Networks struggle to find interesting prime-time shows

It might be as bad as TV's worst detractors say. It might even be worse.

That won't be apparent immediately. When the final tally is conducted in the spring, this season's freshman class could have more returnees than any in years. There could be a dozen or more; 1997-98 had just four. Part of this is a function of lowered expectations, but there actually are some newcomers that are good - Felicity, Will & Grace, Sports Night and maybe one or two others that are a matter of personal taste.

It's the long-range future that looks bleak. This reality has come into distressing focus as the networks unveil their midseason plans. They seem not to have a clue. They definitely don't have a vision.

TV's "second season" has often been a land of opportunity. All in the Family was born in January. Dallas and Dynasty were midseason replacements, too. So was Twin Peaks. More recently, there was Just Shoot Me. Last season, it was Dawson's Creek.

Maybe there will be a pleasant surprise before this season is out. However, with each midseason announcement, this becomes less likely. The creative bankruptcy within the television community has never been more evident. There don't seem to be enough ideas to go around. Don't blame cable. Its top 10 shows last week were all either football or wrestling.

"What's old is new" has taken on a perverse new meaning. CBS announced its first 1999 move this week. It is bringing back The Magnificent Seven, one of last year's losers. (Say goodbye to Buddy Faro).

Also this week, UPN scheduled the January return of The Sentinel, which was canceled last spring after ranking among TV's 10 least-watched shows most weeks. It was resuscitated after a campaign initiated by a handful of sci-fi geeks. To UPN, this is a mass audience.

At least The Sentinel is UPN's own mistake (as is The Magnificent Seven for CBS). UPN also revealed that it has obtained Between Brothers from the Fox scrap heap and will reinflict that on the audience after the turn of the year. Fox is so desperate for a comedy with live people, it is safe to assume that before canceling Between Brothers, the network had exhaustive research to show that there is absolutely no viewer interest in the series.

The latest moves come a week after NBC scheduled a second 3rd Rock From the Sun, a repeat, on Wednesdays. This aberration proved to be short-lived, thank goodness. This week, original episodes of another comedy were named to dislodge 3rd Rock in January. The replacement should be familiar - Lateline. The takeoff on a Nightline-like newscast won some glowing reviews, but that's not why it's back. NBC has little else.

Consider that the network that went into this season as No. 1 (for three years running) has not had a regularly scheduled program at 7 on Sunday, TV's busiest night. It also has been unable to reload on Saturday night from 8 to 9, after yanking the dismal Wind on Water. This at a network that already has five editions of Dateline filling other former trouble spots.

It's the same story everywhere. The WB, which is being deservedly praised as TV's budding success story, has been running Seventh Heaven reruns on a regular basis all season. And the WB is on the air only 11 hours a week, half the traditional load.

CBS is about to introduce a 60 Minutes II, which even its godfather, Don Hewitt, has said is a bad idea. It will be a pleasant surprise if ABC doesn't create a fourth 20/20 when it gets around to filling the Monday Night Football void. Even wild and woolly Fox now has a newsmagazine where it originally scheduled a drama, Hollyweird, that never made it to the air.

Network TV used to be a glamorous place to convene for a night's entertainment. It is gradually turning itself into a dollar movie house. More Tom Jicha columns are available in the paid archive

Copyright 1998, Sun-Sentinel Co. and South Florida Interactive, Inc.

 

An edited version of this article appeared in the Chicago Tribune - Dec 17

IT'S MIDSEASON AND NETWORKS HAVE NO CLUE

It might be as bad as TV's worst detractors say. It might even be worse.

That won't be apparent immediately. When the final tally is conducted in the spring, this season's freshman class could have more returnees than any in years. There could be a dozen or more; 1997-98 had just four. Part of this is a function of lowered expectations, but there actually are some newcomers that are good -- Felicity, Will & Grace, Sports Night and maybe one or two others that are a matter of personal taste.

It's the long-range future that looks bleak. This reality has come into distressing focus as the networks unveil their midseason plans. They seem not to have a clue. They definitely don't have a vision.

TV's "second season" has often been a land of opportunity. All in the Family was born in January. So was Twin Peaks. More recently, there was Just Shoot Me. Last season, it was Dawson's Creek.

Maybe there will be a pleasant surprise before this season is out. However, with each midseason announcement, this becomes less likely. The creative bankruptcy within the television community has never been more evident. There don't seem to be enough ideas to go around.

"What's old is new" has taken on a perverse new meaning. CBS announced its first 1999 move this week. It is bringing back The Magnificent Seven, one of last year's losers.

Also this week, UPN scheduled the January return of The Sentinel, which was canceled last spring after ranking among TV's 10 least-watched shows most weeks. It was resuscitated after a campaign initiated by a handful of sci-fi geeks. To UPN, this is a mass audience.

The latest moves come a week after NBC scheduled a second 3rd Rock From the Sun, a repeat, on Wednesdays. This aberration proved to be short-lived, thank goodness. This week, original episodes of another comedy were named to dislodge 3rd Rock in January. The replacement should be familiar -- Lateline. The takeoff on a Nightline-like newscast won some glowing reviews, but that's not why it's back. NBC has little else.

Consider that the network that went into this season as No. 1 (for three years running) has not had a regularly scheduled program at 6 p.m. on Sunday, TV's busiest night. It also has been unable to reload on Saturday night from 7 to 8, after yanking the dismal Wind on Water. This at a network that already has five editions of Dateline filling other former trouble spots.

CBS is about to introduce a 60 Minutes II, which even its godfather, Don Hewitt, has said is a bad idea. It will be a pleasant surprise if ABC doesn't create a fourth 20/20 when it gets around to filling the Monday Night Football void. 

(Thanks Karen B and Noon)

 


HOME MOVIES FOR UPN - Dec 10

From Mr Showbiz

UPN orders 'Home Movies'

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - UPN has placed a midseason order for Home Movies, a half-hour animated comedy about a young, geeky third-grade moviemaker raised by a single mom. Paula Poundstone, Brendon Small and H. Jon Benjamin will voice the comedy and record each episode by improvisation from an outline, dubbed retroscripting. Jonathan Katz (the creator and voice of Dr. Katz: Professional Therapist) also has a recurring role. Animators will work around the edited improvised comedy using the same "SquiggleVision" method of animation used on Dr. Katz, which is faster than the traditional animation process. The show will likely be ready by April. 

(Thanks Angie)

 


ANOTHER REPORT - Dec 10

From Gist TV's "The Gab". There was also a small picture of Richard.

Midseason Adds: Sentinel, Lateline
Still dying to know whether Blair Sandburg (Garett Maggart) of UPN's Sentinel survived? Rejoice, sci-fi fans: The network announced eight new episodes will run, beginning Jan. 25 in the Monday 9 p.m. ET time slot. UPN plans to put the new animated series Dilbert in at 8 p.m., replacing the canceled Guys Like Us, and DiResta moves to 8:30 p.m. ET 

(Thanks Kathy)

 


IS UPN MAKING THE RIGHT MOVE?

A Sci-Fi Wirereader poll

The front page of Sci-Fi Weekly is having a poll this week; Do you think UPN is making the right move by bringing back The Sentinel as a regular series? So... should anyone here think that UPN made the right move, please go over there and vote!!

(Thanks Anne-Li)

 


FANS OUTCRY LEADS UPN TO BRING BACK SENTINEL - Dec 15

The Columbus, Ohio Dispatch
TV Listings Page (includes nice headshot of Richard Burgi)

Richard Burgi and The Sentinel are returning to UPN's lineup, thanks to fans who made it clear they wanted the action drama back.

Burgi stars in The Sentinel as a crime-buster with exceptional sensory powers. The series, which was pulled at the end of the 1997-98 season, owes its return to fans who lobbied by phone and Internet, a UPN spokeswoman said.

The Sentinel will kick off its return Jan. 25 with its first episode, followed the next week by an encore of last season's finale." 

(Thanks Myrna)

 


UPN CAUGHT REDHANDED - Dec 15

From Ultimate TV

In an effort to jump on the "reality/real people" show bandwagon, UPN has ordered (6 episodes of) the half-hour primetime series RedHanded, a hidden camera show where ordinary people "sting" their outrageous friends in the midst of committing one of the "seven deadly sins."

"RedHanded is a unique hybrid between a sitcom and a hidden camera show," said UPN President Tom Nunan. "The show is a hit on London Weekend Television, and this American version of the show will entertain viewers with its hilarious 'sting' operations and off-kilter scenarios." The series will premiere mid-season on UPN.

(Thanks Kat)

 


ANOTHER SENTINEL MENTION - Dec 15

Detroit News Entertainment Guide

Switching channels

UPN has lassoed the canceled Fox comedy Between Brothers as a partner to Malcolm & Eddie on Tuesdays, one of many scheduling changes for January the network announced.

The freshman sitcom DiResta will move to 8:30 p.m. Mondays while the action-adventure series The Sentinel will return to the lineup at 9 p.m. The new animated sitcom Dilbert bows at 8 p.m. 

(Thanks Noon)

 


ANOTHER SENTINEL RETURN ARTICLE - Dec 14

Lead news story on SciFi Weekly - Issue 88 - Dec 14

The Sentinel Returns To UPN

The on-again, off-again SF show The Sentinel will return to UPN's regular lineup in January 1999. The series was canceled early this year but was later brought back as a mid-season replacement, thanks in part to a high-profile protest by fans.

Now UPN has decided to give the show another chance, providing it with a steady home in the Monday, 9 p.m., timeslot. UPN plans to kickoff the new year of The Sentinel by airing the original pilot on Jan. 25, followed by the season-three cliffhanger finale on Feb. 1. The first episode of the new season--which is also the second part of the cliffhanger episode--will then run on Feb. 8. 

(Thanks Sue)

 


CAN DILBERT HELP REVIVE STRUGGLING UPN? - Dec 14

The Star Ledger of Newark, New Jersey
By Mike Duffy - KRT News Service

No doubt about it, UPN has been dragging bottom.

The woebegone sixth-place network - outshone by its flashier, teen-appeal rival WB, happy home to Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson's Creek - currently boasts such Nielsen ratings heavyweights as Guys Like Us (No. 113), DiResta (No. 114), America's Greatest Pets and Legacy (tied at No. 115).

That sparkling quartet just happens to comprise the four lowest-rated shows on TV this week.

Well, actually, you can kiss Guys Like Us good-bye. The dreadful rookie sitcom just received the pink slip. Pretty soon, maybe the whole darn network will get the hook.

But UPN keeps hanging in there.

And it's holding its breath for the arrival of Dilbert, an animated series based on Scott Adams' popular comic strip character, debutting Jan. 25. A corporate cubicle nebbish to the rescue of a whole network? Maybe, maybe not.

Meanwhile, the toddler TV netlet is hoping to pump up the fading appeal of its only real hit series, Star Trek: Voyager, which ranked an anemic No. 87 this week.

For the crucial February sweeps, UPN will unveil "Dark Frontier," a special effects-filled, two-hour Voyager movie. The suspense film revolves around an epic estrogen showdown between Capt. Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) and the evil, omnipotent Borg Queen. Be still your beating Trekker hearts.

But before Janeway and the Borg Queen do battle, UPN is bringing back The Sentinel, a pretty cool cult-favorite action series that has been in Hiatusville since May's cliffhanger season finale.

The Sentinel gets its midseason mojo working the same night as the Dilbert debut, returning in a new time slot at 9 PM Mondays. In hopes of luring new viewers, UPN has scheduled an encore of The Sentinel series pilot for Jan. 25, followed by a Feb. 1 repeat of the cliff-hanger. New Sentinel episodes arrive starting Feb. 8.

So quit making those snarky jokes about UPN standing for Unbelievably Pathetic Network. Maybe by this time next year, Dilbert will have helped transform it into the Upbeat Promising Network. Or maybe not. 

(Thanks Jean)

 


 

Richard Burgi

SENTINEL RETURNS - Dec 14

Sci-Fi tv, FEB 1998 #3 Future TV section, pg. 22

The Sentinel Returns to UPN eventually as a mid-season replacement.

THE SENTINEL:(UPN) Will return as a mid season replacement, either in January or March. Jeri Ryan guest stars in the initial episode, which resolves the series' cliffhanger ending.

Article included a pic of Richard Burgi smiling, green shirt and leather jacket.

(Thanks Mick C.)


REVIVED - Dec 13

The Province - Vancouver BC Canada
Lynne McNamara's "On Location" column

Fans of the Vancouver-shot TV series The Sentinel will be happy to hear that the sci-fi show will return to the air in January, appearing Monday nights on UPN.

The show aired Wednesdays last season but was retired when UPN set its schedule last May. When saddened fans protested, UPN picked up eight episodes for mid-season.

The network plans to air the show's original pilot on Jan. 25, followed by last season's cliffhanger episode, then this season's premiere.

The Sentinel stars Richard Burgi as Detective James Ellison, who has developed hyperactive senses after spending years in the Peruvian jungle during his tour of duty in Army Special Forces.

He can see people in darkened windows at night from 200 yards, hear music playing on the radio of the car he's chasing as he loses sight of it and can distinguish between plastic and wood after both have been in a 3,000-degree fire.

The detective is told by an anthropologist that he is a Sentinel who in ancient tribes would protect the village and see out game using those hyperactive senses.

I checked out the show's website, where one diehard fan, disgusted with the show's disappearance, writes, "I love the Sentinel (sic) and I would cut off my own right arm to see it again..." 

(Thanks Lois)

 


UPN TAKING AX TO PRIME TIME LINEUP, CLAIMS STATION OWNER - Dec 12

The New York Post Entertainment
By Michael Starr

The head of a major broadcast group which owns seven UPN affiliates says worried UPN execs are thinking of chopping the struggling network's prime-time schedule back from five nights a week to four - or maybe even three nights a week.

Barry Baker, president of Baltimore-based Sinclair Broadcasting, was at a Paine Webber Media Conference in New York on Tuesday when he said UPN "privately admitted" it made a mistake in moving from three to five nights of original programming this season.

A UPN spokesman dismissed Baker's remarks as inaccurate and untrue, but declined to comment further.

Since September, UPN - which airs locally on WWOR/Ch.9 - has seen its ratings drop nearly 40 percent with bombs like the now-cancelled Secret Diary of Desmond Pfeiffer, Mercy Point and Reunited, the Julie Hagerty sitcom that has scored some of the lowest ratings in the history of prime-time sitcoms.

Even at the beginning of this season, industry insiders and advertising experts questioned whether UPN - co-owned by Paramount and group-broadcaster Chris-Craft - would be able to survive the year.

One UPN insider characterized Baker's remarks as "spouting off," noting that Sinclair and UPN have had a checkered history - especially after a large group of Sinclair stations defected from UPN to rival WB about a year-and-a-half ago.

"That was a blow to UPN at the time and there was some bad blood between the two companies," the insider said. "You've got to consider the source when assessing Baker's comments."

A Ch.9 spokesman said the station had no comment.

Baker yesterday failed to return several calls seeking comment.

UPN meanwhile announced several changes to its Monday and Tuesday-night lineups effective next month - including the return of the former Fox series Between Brothers.

UPN also announced that it's renewed DiResta - starring former New York City transit cop John DiResta - for the remainder of the season.

Due to a viewer write-in and e-mail campaign, The Sentinel returns to UPN's Monday-night schedule on Jan. 25 (9-10 p.m.) with a repeat of the series' pilot.

On Tuesdays, Malcolm & Eddie will move to 9 p.m., followed by original episodes of Between Brothers that never aired on Fox last season.

Between Brothers stars David Alan Grier and Kadeem Hardison; UPN could order the show back into production if it scores solid ratings, a network spokesman said. 

(Thanks Noon)

 


MORE MIDSEASON SHUFFLING - Dec 11

Philadelphia Daily News Television
by Ellen Gray elgray@phillynews.com

More midseason shuffling

UPN's The Sentinel, the focus of an impassioned save-our-show campaign earlier this year, will return to the schedule Jan. 25 . . . NBC's Lateline will also be back, starting Jan. 6 . . . The Fox-canceled sitcom Between Brothers moves to UPN starting Jan. 19, where it will follow Malcolm & Eddie.

You can reach Ellen Gray at the Philadelphia Daily News, Box 7788, Philadelphia, Pa. 19101.

(Thanks Noon)

 


MORE ON SENTINEL'S RETURN - Dec 11

Manhattan Mercury

LOS ANGELES----Richard Burgi and The Sentinel are returning to UPN's lineup, thanks to fans who made it clear they wanted the action drama back on the air.

Burgi stars in The Sentinel as a crimebuster with exceptional sensory powers.  The series, which was pulled at the end of the 1997-98 season, owes its return to fans who lobbied by phone and Internet on the show's behalf, a UPN spokeswoman said Thursday.       The Sentinel will air Monday nights beginning Jan. 25.  It will kick off by reprising its first episode, followed the  next week by an encore of last seasons finale.

As part of the revamped schedule, UPN will introduce an animated series based on Scott Adams' satirical comic strip Dilbert . The animated series is to make its debut Jan. 25.

The new schedule will move sitcom Malcolm & Eddie back a half-hour on Tuesday nights beginning Jan. 19.  A new comedy, Between Brothers, makes its debut that night. 

(Thanks Laura T)

 


MORE MEDIA COVERAGE OF THE SENTINEL'S RETURN TO UPN

From PAGE 2 of The Scranton (PA) Times - Dec 11

Fans' Voices Heard: "The Sentinel" is Back!

(LOS ANGELES) -- Richard Burgi and The Sentinel are returning to UPN's lineup, thanks to fans who made it clear they wanted the action drama back on the air.

Burgi stars in The Sentinel as a crimebuster with exceptional sensory powers. The series which was pulled at the end of the 1997-98 season, owes its return to fans who lobbied by phone and Internet on the show's behalf, a UPN spokeswoman said Thursday.

The Sentinel will air Monday nights beginning January 25th. It will kick off by reprising its first episode, followed the next week by an encore of last season's finale. As part of the revamped schedule, UPN will introduce an animated series based on Scott Adams' satirical comic strip Dilbert. The animated series is to make its debut January 25th. The new schedule will move sitcom Malcolm & Eddie back a half-hour on Tuesday nights, beginning January 19th. A new comedy Between Brothers makes its debut that night.

(Thanks Tracy)

 


Give From TV Gen Sci-Fi What's Hot - Dec 11
By John Walsh

Give till it feels good. Or, if you're like some sci-fi fans, give because it feels good. Celebrity auctions are one way of remembering the neediest at the holidays. And, OK, let's be honest, occasionally scoring some killer sci-fi memorabilia. It doesn't matter why you give, all these organizations care about is that you do:

CouverCon '98

Garett MaggartThis fall's CouverCon '98 "wasn't supposed to be a Sentinel convention," says Garett Maggart, "but it sort of turned into one."

With Maggart in attendance along with fellow series stars Richard Burgi and Bruce A. Young, the Vancouver, BC, gathering enjoyed a strong Sentinel fan turnout. And best of all, the event drew donations to the Pediatric AIDS Foundation. "It was fun," Maggart says. "I showed up, I smiled, I did a little question-and-answer session, and they wound up raising something like $50,000 [U.S.]."

Not bad for a show that isn't even on the air at the moment. But here's more good news: The Sentinel returns to UPN on Mon., Jan. 25, at 9 pm/ET, with a rerun of the series pilot. Sentinel, Too, Part 1, last season's cliffhanger ending, airs Feb. 1, and is resolved the following week.

For more information about the fund-raiser, contact CouverCon@aol.com

(Thanks Angie)

 


STARLOG, January Issue #258, MediaLog section: Genre TV:

It didn't take long for UPN---in that fine tradition of itchy trigger fingers perfected by NBC and ABC---to close down Mercy Point. UPN only needed two low-rated airings in one of the schedule's toughest time slots before making a terminal diagnosis. A third episode was broadcast before the show got lost in space. Although not "officially" canceled, Mercy Point is out of production. Unaired but completed episodes may show up stitched together in UPN's Thursday TV movie slot.

The Sentinel is slated to return to the UPN line-up next month. 

(Thanks Shallan)

 


Sci-Fi Wire - Dec 11

The Sentinel Returns To UPN

The on-again, off-again SF show The Sentinel will return to UPN's regular lineup in January 1999. The series was canceled early this year but was later brought back as a mid-season replacement, thanks in part to a high-profile protest by fans.

Now UPN has decided to give the show another chance, providing it with a steady home in the Monday, 9 p.m., timeslot. UPN plans to kickoff the new year of The Sentinel by airing the original pilot on Jan. 25, followed by the season-three cliffhanger finale on Feb. 1. The first episode of the new season--which is also the second part of the cliffhanger episode--will then run on Feb. 8. 

(Thanks Lianne)

 


From Mr Showbiz - Dec 10

Richard Burgi and Garett MaggartTV Tidbits: The Sentinel Returns and More

If you were one of the many fans who wrote in to save The Sentinel, mark your calendars: The series returns to the UPN schedule on Monday, Jan. 25, at 9 p.m. New episodes won't debut until Feb. 8, so for the first two weeks you'll have to make do with encore presentations of the show's pilot episode and the 1997-1998 season-ending cliffhanger. 

(Thanks Paul)

 

 


The Philadelphia Inquirer - Dec 11th

UPN Shuffle. Lineup changes at UPN. Pencils out, boys and girls.

Malcolm & Eddie moves from Monday to 9 p.m. Tuesdays beginning Jan. 19, followed at 9:30 by the UPN premiere of Between Brothers, a Fox castoff from last season starring Kadeem Hardison and Tommy Davidson.

The new animaled Dilbert launches at 8 p.m. Mondays Jan. 25. DiResta moves to 8:30, followed by the return of popular action series, The Sentinel at 9. Sentinel's pilot (originally aired in March 1996) is first up. A repeat of last season's cliffhanger is Feb. 1, with this season's premiere Feb. 8.

(Thanks Deana)

 


THE SENTINEL RETURNS TO UPN'S WEBSITE

To co-incide with the press release announcing The Sentinel's return to UPN's line-up, the network has already added The Sentinel to its new look website.

Visit the new Sentinel pages at: www.upn.com/shows/sentinel/hsseparent.htm (note: pages are no longer available) These pages are still under construction but currently include details on the show, the cast, the schedule and a rudimentary links page along with a promise of video clips coming soon - don't forget to let them know how much we're looking forward to seeing new information added to the site and suggest a few of your favorite links.

 


PRESS RELEASE

UPN ANNOUNCES NEW PRIMETIME SCHEDULE THAT INCLUDES PREMIERE OF ANIMATED SERIES DILBERT, RETURN BY POPULAR DEMAND OF ACTION DRAMA THE SENTINEL AND THE ADDITION OF COMEDY SERIES BETWEEN BROTHERS - Dec 9

-- Malcolm & Eddie Partners with Between Brothers Beginning Tuesday, January 19 --
-- Animated Series Dilbert Premieres and The Sentinel Returns Monday, January 25 --

LOS ANGELES, December 9, 1998 ... UPN's primetime programming schedule shifts on Tuesday, January 19 when popular comedy series Malcolm & Eddie moves to its new 9:00 p.m. time period, partnered with the UPN network premiere of the comedy series Between Brothers starring Kadeem Hardison and Tommy Davidson at 9:30 p.m. On Monday, January 25, UPN's irreverent half-hour animated series Dilbert premieres as the anchor for Mondays at 8:00 p.m., followed by DiResta in its new time period at 8:30 p.m. and the return of action-drama series The Sentinel at 9:00 p.m. The announcement was made today by Tom Nunan, President, Entertainment, UPN.

"These moves strengthen and solidify our Monday and Tuesday night lineup," said Nunan. "Dilbert and DiResta provide an hour of alternative comedy, while the return of The Sentinel will please its loyal fans and bring new viewers to the set for one of TV's best action shows."

"Our Tuesday 8:00-9:00 p.m. block remains steady with Moesha and Clueless while Malcolm & Eddie finds its ideal companion in Between Brothers. While the show had a brief run on Fox, we think it can be a player on UPN and it's a perfect fit in the time period."

 


Back by popular demand, the dynamic action-adventure series The Sentinel makes its season premiere on Monday, January 25 with an encore presentation of its very first episode (original airdate March 1996). The series opens as Detective James Ellison grapples with his uncontrollable, wildly heightened sense of sight, hearing, smell, touch and taste. He soon teams up with graduate student Blair Sandburg to seek the cause of his condition -- and use that edge in the pursuit of justice.

On Monday, February 1, UPN presents an encore broadcast of The Sentinel's suspenseful 1997-98 season cliffhanger which left Blair Sandburg (Garett Maggart) on the verge of death. The episode guest stars Jeri Ryan (Star Trek: Voyager) as an alluring woman with identical hyper-senses to Ellison's, only she uses her abilities to commit crimes. An all new episode of The Sentinel - the exciting conclusion of that storyline -- airs Monday, February 8.

 


Last season, the new situation comedy Between Brothers aired on FOX in the time period following the established Living Single and against NBC's powerhouse Thursday night line-up. Although it was a brand new series, it regularly held 100% of its lead-in share in Homes and key demographics and attracted a young Adult audience.

UPN's new primetime line-up is as follows:

Mondays, effective January 25
8:00 p.m. Dilbert premiere
8:30 p.m. DiResta original episode
9:00 p.m. The Sentinel season premiere special encore of series premiere
Monday, February 1
9:00 p.m. The Sentinel special encore of 1997-98 cliffhanger
Monday, February 8
9:00 p.m. The Sentinel all new episode, conclusion of two-part storyline
Tuesdays, effective January 19
8:00 p.m. Moesha original episode
8:30 p.m. Clueless original episode
9:00 p.m. Malcolm & Eddie original episode, new time period
9:30 p.m. Between Brothers new network premiere
Wednesdays
8:00 p.m. 7 Days
9:00 p.m. Star Trek: Voyager
Thursdays
8:00 p.m. UPN Thursday Night at the Movies 
Fridays
8:00 p.m. Legacy
9:00 p.m. Love Boat: The Next Wave

(Editors please note: Reunited and America's Greatest Pets will return to the schedule at a later date.)

DILBERT

It's the fastest-growing comic strip in syndication, entertaining more than 150 million people in 57 countries every day. Now, one of the most popular characters in comic strip history comes to prime-time television in the highly-anticipated premiere of Dilbert, the animated UPN series that cleverly lampoons the absurdities of corporate life. Virtually everyone who has ever held a job will appreciate the hilarious struggles of Dilbert, the workplace everyman disgruntled with corporate America and rightfully convinced that he's surrounded by idiots. Bringing the clever humor and sharply written storylines to life are Daniel Stern (The Wonder Years, Home Alone) as Dilbert; Chris Elliott (There's Something About Mary, Late Night with David Letterman) as Dogbert; stand-up comic and actress Kathy Griffin (Suddenly Susan) as Alice; actor, writer, producer and director Gordon Hunt (Caroline in the City, Mad About You) as Wally; actor and comedian Larry Miller (Seinfeld, Mad About You) as the Pointy-Haired Boss; and actress Jackie Hoffman (Freaky Friday) as Dilmom. Dilbert is a copyright of United Media. Scott Adams is the series creator and co-executive producer, and Emmy Award-winner Larry Charles (Mad About You, Seinfeld) is the executive producer. The series is a production of Columbia TriStar Television.

THE SENTINEL

Richard Burgi stars as James Ellison, Garett Maggart stars as Blair Sandburg and Bruce A. Young as Captain Simon Banks in this one hour series combining riveting stories of hypersensory powers with broad-scale and dramatic action-adventure. Rugged Cascade, Washington, police detective James Ellison has a dramatically different advantage -- his five senses are suddenly heightened wildly beyond that of an ordinary human being. He only entrusts this secret to good-natured anthropology student, Blair Sandburg, and his police department boss, Captain Simon Banks. In exchange for helping Ellison control his hypersensitivity and use his newfound capabilities to his advantage, Captain Banks allows the hip young Sandburg to study Ellison for his thesis and become an observer on the detective's criminal cases. Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo are the creators and executive producers. The Sentinel is a Pet Fly production in association with Paramount Network Television.

BETWEEN BROTHERS

Kadeem Hardison (A Different World), Dondre T. Whitfield (All My Children), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color) and Kelly Perine star in Between Brothers, a comedy series in which four cool, contemporary African-American men find themselves in all kinds of trouble because "the rules" aren't what they used to be. The Gordon brothers, Charles and James, couldn't be more different if they were born to separate families. These two sexy, successful men could top any "most eligible bachelors" list. But the similarities may end there. Charles (Hardison) is a successful young doctor who needs to learn how to incorporate work and play a bit better in his life. Younger brother, James (Whitfield), on the other hand, knows very well how to play. A lover of the ladies -- and vice versa -- he knows how to get under Charles's skin and usually ends up interrupting Charles's well-ordered world. Opposites, in the case of these two strong-willed brothers, do not necessarily attract. Taking sides in every issue are their best friends from college: A local TV weatherman with an appropriately rugged stage name, Dusty Canyon (Perine) who lives vicariously through the brothers; and longtime friend Mitchell (Davidson), a bitter, divorced guy trying to pay alimony to two ex-wives. The one thing all four guys can agree on is their love of women, and they get their fill at a nearby micro brewery that is run by Teri, the only woman who is off limits to everyone. As can be expected, Teri loves/hates these guys and is always standing ready to set them straight. Her work will never be done. The series is a production of Applebarry, Inc. in association with Columbia TriStar Television.

48 DAYS UNTIL THE PREMIERE OF DILBERT ON UPN! [But more importantly, 48 days till THE SENTINEL returns!]

- UPN --

 


MEDIA REPORTS OF THE SENTINEL'S RETURN

USA Today - Dec 9
Inside Television column 
Thanks to Sherry for scanning this article.
The report of The Sentinel's return also appeared on USA Today Online

Variety - Dec 9

Sentinel, Lateline back on air

UPN is expected to announce today that The Sentinel will return to the schedule in January, appearing Monday nights at 9, while NBC's Lateline will be back on the air at 9 p.m. Jan. 6. A UPN spokesman could not be reached for comment, but sources say the netlet's Monday lineup starting Jan. 25 will be Dilbert at 8 p.m., followed by DiResta and The Sentinel. The Monday comedy Malcolm & Eddie is expected to move to Tuesday night.

Paramount's The Sentinel aired Wednesday nights last season and was originally left on the cutting-room floor when UPN set its schedule in May. After fans protested, UPN reversed course and picked up eight episodes of the show for midseason. The netlet plans to air the drama's original pilot Jan. 25, followed by last season's cliffhanger episodes, and then this season's premiere.

(Thanks Barbara, Kat and Angie)

 


Cinescape Online Dec 9

Sentinel To Return

As expected, The Sentinel TV series looks to be returning to prime time on the UPN TV network early next year. The series, which may have been saved by a group of fans organized on the Internet (resulting in a "save the show" ad in USA Today) will likely return in January on Monday nights at 9 p.m. Eight new episodes were ordered, but UPN plans on starting with repeats of the series’ first episode (on January 25th) followed by last season’s cliffhanger.

That same night will also be shared with the Dilbert series at 8 p.m. followed by low-rated sitcom Diresta at 8:30 p.m.

(Thanks Deborah)

 


Variety Dec 10
By Jenny Hontz

Brothers to join UPN Tuesday sked
Netlet pursues smoother audience flow, reverses field

UPN has picked up last season's canceled Fox comedy Between Brothers, which will air Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m., starting Jan. 19, following Monday transplant Malcolm & Eddie.

The Brothers decision is a sign that UPN is attempting to win back its core audience of black viewers who have largely abandoned the netlet this season.

To do that, UPN is scheduling three shows with largely black casts on Tuesday night: Moesha, Malcolm & Eddie and Between Brothers. That decision will certainly create a smoother audience flow, but it¹s a reversal of UPN CEO Dean Valentine's stated philosophy that it¹s wrong to lump together shows that appeal mainly to a specific race.

Columbia TriStar TV's Between Brothers aired on Fox's Thursday night lineup last season, where it averaged a 4.8 rating and 8 share in homes and a 3.1/9 among adults 18-49 in 13 airings. UPN has picked up five episodes that were shot for Fox last season, but never aired, plus one episode that did air on Fox.

UPN also has options to order more episodes that aired on Fox and to put the show back into production to get more original episodes. America's Greatest Pets and Reunited, which had been airing Tuesdays at 9 and 9:30 p.m., will remain on the bench as backups.

UPN also confirmed the Monday schedule would consist of Dilbert at 8 p.m., followed by DiResta and The Sentinel (Daily Variety, Dec. 9). The Tuesday schedule is ³Moesha² at 8 p.m., followed still by Clueless, Malcolm & Eddie and Between Brothers.

Separately, the WB netlet has scheduled its midseason comedy Zoe, Duncan, Jack & Jane to premiere Sunday, Jan. 17, at 9 p.m., with Unhappily Ever After moving to 9:30 p.m. The Army Show, which had aired at 9:30 p.m., has been canceled. The moves were expected.


UPN CONFIRMS THE SENTINEL TO RETURN - Dec 8

SOS was today contacted by UPN in Los Angeles ahead of a December 9 press release.

As part of a network rescue package, The Sentinel will join debuting animated series Dilbert (8pm/7c) on Monday January 25 to anchor UPN's new "big night" of programming.

UPN says their faith in The Sentinel has been revived through Sentinel fans' constant support, and their professionalism and enthusiasm demonstrated throughout the renewal campaign. It is hoped that the series will bring new life to the network through the February sweeps period.

As a treat for newer viewers, The Sentinel will lead off on Monday January 25 with a special Encore presentation of the series pilot, Switchman, followed on February 1 by a rerun of Sentinel, Too - Part One. On February 8, UPN will screen the long-awaited sequel to last season's cliffhanger, Sentinel, Too - Part 2 and continue with all new episodes throughout February.

It is believed that a good ratings performance on our return to the network will be a strong argument for renewing The Sentinel for a fifth season.

The new Monday night lineup, which will be actively hyped and promoted, is as follows:

  • 8:00 pm - Dilbert
  • 8:30 pm - Diresta
  • 9:00 pm - The Sentinel

The screening dates for the first three episodes are:

  • Monday, Jan 25 9:00 pm - Switchman
  • Monday, Feb 01 9:00 pm - Sentinel, Too (Part 1)
  • Monday, Feb 08 9:00 pm - Sentinel, Too (Part 2)

AFFILIATES REPORT SENTINEL TO RETURN JAN 25 - Dec 6

UPN affiliate stations report that The Sentinel is scheduled to return to our screens on Monday January 25 at 9pm/8c.

UPN's "great hope" the animated Dilbert is also scheduled to premiere at 8pm/7c on the same night.

 


SENTINEL PRODUCTION UPDATE - Dec 5

Filming on the last of this season's eight episode order will be completed this week. With the uncertainty of the show's future this is a highly emotional time for cast and crew.

Executive Producer, Danny Bilson forwarded this message from Vancouver where he is currently directing the final episode.

Possible spoiler below if you're trying to avoid episode titles.


Filming this last episode is one of the most emotional experiences I've had in this business. It's been really strange how different people are dealing with their feelings of sadness and potential loss. I'll never forget it.

I promise that a lot of these feelings are coming out on screen and you're going to get our most emotional episode ever. We're really rocking the house.

I believe, even though I'm only half way through filming, "The Sentinel by Blair Sandburg" is going to blow you guys away.

 


GARETT MAGGART INTERVIEW - Dec 5

The following interview by Maria Ciaccia appears on the People Online Website (site does no longer exist). It is also mentioned in the "print" version of this week's PEOPLE magazine - December 14 Issue with JonBenet on the cover, inside it says, pointing readers to the online interview:

More on Maggart

Get the scoop on the man People Online readers have voted as one of this year's Most Beautiful People and among the Most Intriguing People of 1997: star of The Sentinel (and Fiona Apple's half-sibling) Garett Maggart.
 
 


Garett Maggart

Garett Maggart
This Sentinel is One to Watch

A native of New York City, Maggart now divides his time between Vancouver and Los Angeles

"When I was growing up, it was the wise guys I wanted to play, the De Niro and Pacino roles," Sentinel star Garett Maggart says. He's happily settled for portraying scientist Blair Sandburg, the Sentinel's sidekick, a part that suits him totally, right down to the description.

"I was actually in New York City, which is where I'm from, at the time the show was casting," the 29-year old New York City native tells PEOPLE Online. "There was a big hoo-ha. The script was faxed to my mom's office in Connecticut. I was a big hit for five minutes when it was rolling in. My mom picked it up, read the description and said, 'Oh, you'll get this job, honey.' Actually, it was the first time I'd ever looked at a thing and said, 'I'm going to get this.' It wasn't so much the description of the long hair-retro look (though it was really one of the first roles that described me) -- It's that it fit me personally. Blair is outgoing, kind, nosy."

Mom was right. Maggart was hired. However, there was one difference between Maggart and Sandburg -- Sandburg, an expert in ancient human cultures, is heavily into academics. Maggart says, "I went out and bought a couple of anthropological books to prepare for the part. It was a lot of reading. I'm dyslexic, and I was horrible in school."


Though extremely popular, the actor says, "I still enjoy a great deal of anonymity, which I like." 

 


Maggart, the son of actor Brandon Maggart and the half-brother of singer Fiona Apple, basically had only a role on an episode of Frasier to his credit before The Sentinel. "Since my dad is an actor, I knew what it was all about and what it was going to take. I knew I just had to stick with it. I did 200 auditions before I got my first job. I almost started to take it personally. But you just have to keep going, and you start getting some things."

Though extremely popular, the actor says, "I still enjoy a great deal of anonymity, which I like. I like to be able to do my job and get paid for it and reap the benefits, but I can go outside. Usually I have my glasses on, a beard growing and my hair pulled Back, so people don't recognize me -- except for the diehard fans."

When he's not filming The Sentinel in Vancouver, Maggart lives in Los Angeles with his 3-year-old dog Lola. In the future, he says, "I would love to do features, and I'd love to do more theater -- to do TV to be able to afford to do theater. I haven't got my heart set on drama or comedy, as long as it's good and I'm proud of it. I did Stanley Kowalski in Streetcar Named Desire in college, and I would love to do Death of a Salesman, the total opposite end of it. I've never really been one for King Lear or Richard III. I studied all that in college. I don't understand them. (I'm joking!)"

What does he think of the huge popularity of The Sentinel on the Internet? "I've heard stories of the e-mails that UPN got when we weren't on the fall schedule," he says. The series was canceled by UPN after its season-ending cliffhanger. Maggart's character was apparently murdered by Voyager star Jeri Ryan and couldn't be resuscitated by Jim Ellison, The Sentinel (played by Richard Burgi). The fans got busy, and the show is no longer on life support. Maggart is grateful.

(Thanks Melanie)

 


A SENTI-MENTAL CHRISTMAS CD - Dec 3

"A Senti-mental Christmas" is a special, extremely-limited-edition CD produced by Henri Brown and friends from the cast and crew of The Sentinel.

It's a slightly off-beat rendition of traditional Christmas songs, done solely for the fun of it, full of love and craziness.

It is not officially connected to the television show The Sentinel, nor does it claim to be licensed or approved by Paramount Pictures, UPN, or Pet Fly Productions.

If you have reserved a copy, please send in your order as soon as possible. We will only be accepting orders for previously reserved CD's as this is a one-time, limited press and we wanted to have "A Senti-mental Christmas" ready for everyone before the holidays.

A portion of the proceeds of this CD will go to benefit the Vancouver Children's "Empty Stocking Fund".

If you have any further questions, please email Lois at: lrbalzer@istar.ca.


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