New PacifiCon 2000

New Pacificon 2000 was a joint convention for fans of Earth 2 and The Pretender. Both shows ran on NBC and both were canceled: Earth 2 after one season, 1994-95, and The Pretender this year, after four seasons.

The fan convention took place on July 7, 8, and 9, 2000 in Los Angeles, CA. Fans came from all over the United States and Canada and as far away as Germany, The Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.

The three-day gathering was held at the Beverly Garland Holiday Inn in North Hollywood.

The Pretender Guests of Honor included Jamie Denton (Mr. Lyle), Richard Marcus (Mr. Raines), Patrick Bauchau (Sydney on The Pretender and guest star Shepperd on Earth 2), Executive Producer/Creator Craig Van Sickle, Season 4 casting director John Aiello, DP/Director Rodney Charters, Sam Ayers (Sam the Sweeper), Willie Gault (Willie the Sweeper), Leslie Johnson, Assistant to the Executive Producers, Co-Executive Producer/Director Fred Keller, Makeup Artist Denise Paulson, Camera Operator Krishna Rao, Writer Daniel Truly, and Angela Nogaro, who did makeup for both shows.

Earth 2 GOHs included Clancy Brown (John Danziger), Joey Zimmerman (Uly Adair), Kirk Trutner (Cameron), Lisa Ebeyer (a Grendler), Bill Traetta, costumes, and Jana Marie Bonar, special effects costuming.

This time WE are the aliens

Scheduled GOH Jessica Steen was unable to attend because of a death in her family. Kevin Pike, who won an Emmy for his Earth 2 special effects, was also scheduled but unable to come; he is working on a movie, Jurassic Park 3.

Another cast member, 15-year-old J. Madison Wright (True Danziger) was diagnosed last year with restrictive cardiomyopathy. She had a heart transplant in March. Any proceeds from the convention will be contributed to fundraising efforts on her behalf.

FRIDAY

The convention began on Friday with a trip to Universal Studios. A group took the tram ride through the lots. The ride featured some new additions this year, including an unsettling "Mummy's Tomb." The group took in the attractions including ET, The Terminator, Backdraft, and lunch at Jurassic Park.

John, Nancy, and Maggie in front of the hotel

Amanda, Donna, Bettina, Ashley, and Nicole

Nic, John, Ashley, Nancy, and Maggie waiting to "phone home" at Universal

View of the Valley from the Universal escalator

In the evening, fans gathered in the con suite to hang out and watch the blooper reel, Earth 2 music videos, and the infamous "second season" promo reel.

For those who haven't seen the promo: Universal fired Earth 2 producer Michael Duggan and hired new people who planned to "retool" the show. According to the promo reel, Devon and Julia were going to be diminished, new characters were to be introduced - "A strong male leader" - like Danziger wasn't? - and a teenage cyborg (?). Morgan was to be killed off "in a final act of cowardice" and Bess, "free of Morgan's domination" - say what? - was to be, apparently, the planet's shady lady. Danziger would become sort of a McGuyver figure, Yale would be killed off, the Terrians disappeared, and indicating how little attention the new folks paid to the show, the promo featured a girl called "Tru" and a docile pet called a "Grendlier."

NBC didn't like the new version and canceled the show. Universal then shopped it around to other networks, including UPN, where the discarded promo reel was apparently snagged by a fan and has subsequently served to reassure fans that if the show could only continue along these lines, then it is better off dead.

The blooper reel is a riot, with Antonio doing Brando, lovely ladies Jessica and Rebecca getting off some unladylike language, and Clancy deadpanning a two-word suggestion.

Cheryl also showed her wonderful video of the pre-con trip 10 fans took to shooting sites in New Mexico.

SATURDAY

Saturday began with a panel by The Pretender GOH's followed by luncheon with GOH's from both shows.

Richard Marcus (center), described as a cross between John Malkovich and Nosferatu, is actually pleasant and charming

More luncheon guests

After lunch, more Pretender GOHs sat for a Q&A. Fans already knew that cable channel TNT is picking up reruns of the show, starting in September. They were delighted to learn from Exec Producer Craig Van Sickle that details are being finalized for two two-hour Pretender TV movies.

Craig credited the support from Pretender fans as a factor in the show's possible future; he thanked the fans for their letters and efforts to save the show and encouraged them to continue.

Jamie Denton, Craig Van Sickle, Richard Marcus

Patrick Bauchau joins Denton, Van Sickle, and Marcus

The dazzlingly charming Patrick Bauchau signs an autograph for Nicole

Patrick laughed upon hearing from a fan that Earth 2 fans didn't like his episode. Not all Earth 2 fans were also Pretender fans, but after seeing a few episodes in the con suite, and meeting the handsome, charming actors, some E2 fans are destined to become hooked on yet another canceled show.

For more NP 2000 photos and memories, click HERE

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