Jeff Combs (Dr. Burkhoff) Supports the "Save the 4400" Campaign!
There is a new Associated Press article out now that quotes Jeff on the massive Save the 4400 campaign!
Fans buy nearly 6,000 bags of seeds in network protest
By DAVE KOLPACK Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press - Saturday, February 09, 2008
WAHPETON, N.D.
A North Dakota sunflower seed company says it has shipped nearly 6,000 bags of its salty snacks to USA Network offices in New York to try to save a science fiction TV show. And the actor whose seed-spitting character inspired the campaign is loving every minute of it.
Fans of "The 4400" asked Giants Seeds of Wahpeton to help with the drive after the cable network dumped the show in December. Many of the sales are international orders, something the company does not normally accept.
"I'm sure by Monday afternoon, the mailroom at USA Network will be getting somewhat full," said Tom Schuler, who handles Internet sales for Giants.
The protest, modeled after a similar campaign by fans who sent peanuts to keep the CBS show "Jericho" alive, has the support of 4400 actor Jeffrey Combs. His character, Dr. Kevin Burkhoff, was the inspiration for the sunflower send-off.
"There's nothing better than an avid fan," Combs said in an interview. "The 4400 fans have taken their loss with grace and dignity and, with this campaign, quite a bit of ironic humor.
"Love it. Love them for doing this," he said.
Network spokeswoman Kristin Schulman said the network had received about 30 pounds of sunflower seeds by Wednesday, before Giants sent its first shipment. The Wahpeton company has since shipped about 650 pounds of seeds, with orders from about 30 states and a dozen countries, Schuler said.
In a statement about the 4400 campaign, network officials said, "We love hearing from our viewers and appreciate their enthusiasm for 'The 4400,' a series we're extremely proud of, but it would be very difficult logistically to bring the show back."
The show tells the story of 4,400 people who were abducted at various times but returned at the same time near Seattle. They have not aged since their abduction and remember nothing about the time they were gone.
The network axed both "The 4000" and "The Dead Zone," also a science fiction show, at the same time.
"We wish we could keep all our great shows alive forever," a vice president, Jeff Wachtel, said in a statement announcing the cancellations. "But we feel we need to give some of our new shows a platform to grow, and it's with great sadness that we say goodbye to two shows that had a great run and helped create the resurgence of original programming on our network and on all of cable."
Renee Cuddahy, 32, a 4400 fan from Philadelphia, said she's optimistic the sunflower seeds campaign will work. The bags are selling for $5 apiece of $20 for a case of 24.
"I didn't realize there were so many places in the world where the show was so popular," Cuddahy said. "This is so wacky it just might get their attention."
Combs said he has chewed sunflower seeds all of his life, but has yet to try the Giants brand.
"They probably have quite a few of them over at the network right now," Combs said. "Maybe I can get a sampling from them."
I LOVE IT!!! This is so great! :D
Fans buy nearly 6,000 bags of seeds in network protest
By DAVE KOLPACK Associated Press Writer
The Associated Press - Saturday, February 09, 2008
WAHPETON, N.D.
A North Dakota sunflower seed company says it has shipped nearly 6,000 bags of its salty snacks to USA Network offices in New York to try to save a science fiction TV show. And the actor whose seed-spitting character inspired the campaign is loving every minute of it.
Fans of "The 4400" asked Giants Seeds of Wahpeton to help with the drive after the cable network dumped the show in December. Many of the sales are international orders, something the company does not normally accept.
"I'm sure by Monday afternoon, the mailroom at USA Network will be getting somewhat full," said Tom Schuler, who handles Internet sales for Giants.
The protest, modeled after a similar campaign by fans who sent peanuts to keep the CBS show "Jericho" alive, has the support of 4400 actor Jeffrey Combs. His character, Dr. Kevin Burkhoff, was the inspiration for the sunflower send-off.
"There's nothing better than an avid fan," Combs said in an interview. "The 4400 fans have taken their loss with grace and dignity and, with this campaign, quite a bit of ironic humor.
"Love it. Love them for doing this," he said.
Network spokeswoman Kristin Schulman said the network had received about 30 pounds of sunflower seeds by Wednesday, before Giants sent its first shipment. The Wahpeton company has since shipped about 650 pounds of seeds, with orders from about 30 states and a dozen countries, Schuler said.
In a statement about the 4400 campaign, network officials said, "We love hearing from our viewers and appreciate their enthusiasm for 'The 4400,' a series we're extremely proud of, but it would be very difficult logistically to bring the show back."
The show tells the story of 4,400 people who were abducted at various times but returned at the same time near Seattle. They have not aged since their abduction and remember nothing about the time they were gone.
The network axed both "The 4000" and "The Dead Zone," also a science fiction show, at the same time.
"We wish we could keep all our great shows alive forever," a vice president, Jeff Wachtel, said in a statement announcing the cancellations. "But we feel we need to give some of our new shows a platform to grow, and it's with great sadness that we say goodbye to two shows that had a great run and helped create the resurgence of original programming on our network and on all of cable."
Renee Cuddahy, 32, a 4400 fan from Philadelphia, said she's optimistic the sunflower seeds campaign will work. The bags are selling for $5 apiece of $20 for a case of 24.
"I didn't realize there were so many places in the world where the show was so popular," Cuddahy said. "This is so wacky it just might get their attention."
Combs said he has chewed sunflower seeds all of his life, but has yet to try the Giants brand.
"They probably have quite a few of them over at the network right now," Combs said. "Maybe I can get a sampling from them."
I LOVE IT!!! This is so great! :D