From the 1/24/96 Electronic Media
The Friends of Forever Knight are sometimes described as the 1990s version of Trekkies.
But these ardent fans of the supernatural police drama "Forever Knight," which has been canceled by USA Network and is clinging to life in syndication, seem to be more organized and sophisticated than those backing other television shows.
Through the Internet and online services, the Friends of Forever Knight have mobilized faster and are becoming a force behind keeping the show alive.
Six members from the West Coast paid their own way to Las Vegas this week to spread the word at the National Association of Television Program Executives convention.
Others donated or pledged funds to cover the cost of tote bags and flyers the six are giving out this week at the convention center.
This might make it seem like they're supported by Columbia TriStar Television, the producers and distributors of the syndicated series, but the Friends and Columbia TriStar say they are acting on their own.
"These are not ringers of any sort. They are on an adventure to save our favorite show," said Catherine Siemann, an English literature doctorate candidate at Columbia University and one of three Friends of Forever Knight who have volunteered as "point people" to take phone calls from media and other interested parties.
Annemarie McKee Fitzgerald, a police communications officer in New Jersey and another point person, said the group has representatives on America Online, CompuServe, Prodigy and Genie in addition to a 900-member mailing list. She said one of the "delegates" at NATPE will have a laptop computer to keep the group apprised.
"We picked up a rumor in December that it was being cancelled by USA Network, and we got confirmation," Ms. Fitzgerald said.
"It snowballed from there, and we've
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divided up responsibilities."
They've organized "appreciation" weeks, too, honoring fans, sponsors and TV station affiliates by sending flowers and letters and making phone calls to thank people for support.
"Some people even delivered home-baked cookies to TV stations," she said.
The group, however, does more than just support the show.
Ms. Fitzgerald said the Friends of Forever Knight collected $6,000 in the last month to donate to the Pediatric AIDS Foundatin, a favored charity of the show's star, Geraint Wyn Davies.
Next, she said, is a blood drive, asking fans of the show to go to their local Red Cross centers.
"The Internet has become a tremendous vehicle for them. It's replaced the old letter writing campaign and is more efficient and more timely," said Andy Kaplan, senior executive vice president of Columbia TriStar Television.
The show's producer and stars often go on-line, participating in live chats, too.
Mr. Kaplan said Columbia TriStar is committed to completing the show's latest season in syndication, which will give the company about 70 episodes.
Mr. Kaplan said it has taken a "patchwork of revenue streams" from syndication, cable and overseas to keep the show going.
A decision about next year hasn't been made, but those 70 hours will likely find a home either in syndication as a strip or on a cable network such as The Sci-Fi Channel.
"Who knows? Fans of this show are loyal and targeted. Maybe it will be aroudn forever and maybe spawn a 'Forever Knight: The Next Generation,'" Mr. Kaplan said.
The series, launched in May 1992 as part of CBS's late-night programming block, "Crimetime After Primetime," was rerun the second year and then moved into first-run syndication in September 1994 with new episodes when the late-night block was replaced by "Late Show With David Letterman."
This year USA Network picked it up as an original series, with new episodes telecast on the cable network and in first-run.
USA, however, said in December that it was canceling the show, spawning a "Save Forever Knight" site on the World Wide Web and a unique campaign to get USA to reconsider.
The group asked its members to send lottery tickets to USA, asking that any winnings go toward keeping the show on the air.
"It was a ploy to get attention, but if one of the tickets hit, it would have been enough to fund more episodes," Ms. Fitzgerald said.
"We thought it would be different than just letters saying 'save our show.' We're not a bunch of fanatics in T-shirts. We're after information, getting it out to the Internet and asking people to spread it further."
One member, Ms. Fitzgerald said, even did a demographic list of the group, finding that most are college educated or in college.
Ms. Siemann said the Friends of Forever Knight include attorneys, scientists, college professors and students.
"We have lives, believe me. I guess this is just something we felt. I have a degree in English literature. I don't watch much television. I thought it would be a giggle when I first watched it, but it was fantastic," she said.
Then, instead of talking about the virtues of the show and the reasons why she likes it, Ms. Siemann listed household and demographic ratings from the November sweeps in markets like Houston, San Francisco and Orlando, Fla.
"We feel if the show were marketed properly it would be a huge hit, but stations are not giving it favorable time slots," she said.
This story copyright Electronic Media, 1996.
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