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Report: "The Invisible Man" Wins Big at 2002 Roswell Awards"
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A Subsidiary of the Department of Fish and Game
"Invisible Man" Fans Enjoy 'Rallying' Success
-- Support continues in the face of bad news
Fans of "The Invisible Man" marked the one-year anniversary of the show's last episode by holding a Pep Rally on the Sci-Fi Channel's web site bulletin board Jan. 31 - Feb 2. Over 300 individual threads, or topics, were posted over the 3-day event, many of them having several replies.
Some threads included invitations to virtual events, such as an Oatmeal Cookie Bake-Off, a barbeque dinner, and open bars. One of the most popular events was the virtual Conga Line, in which fans imagined singing and dancing throught the offices of the SciFi Channel.
News of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster lulled the festivities on Saturday morning. However, the mood elevated substantially when actor Mike McCafferty, who portrayed Albert Eberts on "The Invisible Man," posted his first message in approximately a year.
After heartfelt words of sorrow over Columbia, McCafferty expressed joyous surprise to see so much activity on the bulletin board. He also offered to pass on any messages fans might have to other cast members, whom he still sees socially. His post received 60 replies by the end of the weekend.
In addition, Actor Eddie Jones ("The Official") sent a message to fans via the I-Maniacs' president, R2. DungeonDan, a former crewmember from the show, also posted two messages during the rally.
Late Saturday, fans were aghast to learn of the auto-related death of a fellow fan. Known as CrimsonEyez, the 30-year-old married mother of two created a multitude of music videos based on "The Invisible Man." Several of these videos were featured at I-ManiCon 2002. The fandom was shocked and greatly saddened by the loss; nevertheless, those who knew her best insisted she would have wanted the pep rally to continue.
"I think that one of the best ways to remember crimsonEyez is to hold this pep rally in her memory," Invisible Danielle posted. "I know that she would want us to continue fight to get the Invisible Man [back on the air]. She will be greatly missed."
Despite the sad news, fans managed to end the weekend on a very positive note. "Bring back 'The Invisible Man'" was their constant plea and demand.
Overall, fans from at least 26 states and 7 different countries participated in the rally. Twenty -five new members joined the I-Maniacs, and about a dozen new signatures appeared on the "Invisible Man" third season petition (http://www.petitiononline.com/imans3/petition.html) . Numbers continued to rise even after the official end of the rally.
I-ManiCon 2002
The first ever fan convention for the hit show The Invisible Man has come and gone. Attendees of different nationalities, belief systems, and age groups united in I-Mania. Some already knew each other, many more met for the first time. Above all, the spirit that filled ImaniCon 2002 was one of loyalty and perseverence: to the show, to the cast and crew, and to each other.
Please click on the links at the left to read The Keeper's Lapdog and Pipsqueak's reports on the con, as well as to view surveillance photos taken on the scene.
Memories of I-ManiCon
Yes, a full 6 months after I-Manicon 2002, I am finally going to share. I meant to long ago, but so many others did such a good job, I knew my own effort wouldn't add very much. Nevertheless, I carry on:
- What I loved best: meeting all the other attendees. I remember looking around one day at all of the others, thinking how different we all were: we all had different jobs, different tastes in clothing, different interests, different talents, different backgrounds, and different beliefs. And we were all willing to travel long distances just to watch videos, wear funny costumes, and enjoy I-Mania. Incredible.
- What I'm not liable to see anywhere else, ever again: Two Darien's engaged in mortal combat, and Mae West on The Official's arm; Mike McCafferty in a Jar Jar Binks mask.
- What I'd most like to do again: Believe it or not, probably the I-Man Bingo, "O Crap." I re-discovered I like Bingo, and it was a fun, quiet Sunday morning activity.
- What I didn't realize until after I got home: That while we were playing "O Crap," I somehow ended up being completely surrounded by men. I'm not sure how that happened, but, you know, that wasn't such a bad deal! :)
Why The Invisible Man Fans Won't Give Up
by Bravogabbo
Season 2 of The Invisible Man introduced the audience to the Special Weapons Research Branch, a covert government group essentially answerable to no one. As Agent Bobby Hobbes (actor Paul Ben-Victor) put it, the SWRB's are "not nice people."
The cast and crew of I-Man are the antithesis of this description. From the show's beginning, they have gone out of their way to keep in contact with fans. Mike McCafferty, a then-unknown actor hired for a minor part, dropped in on the Sci-Fi Channel's bulletin board after the first episode aired. This led to weekly behind-the-scenes reports, and more interactions with other cast and crew members. Over 20 members of the unofficial fan club, The I-Maniacs, were granted a lengthy visit to the set during filming. And last April, McCafferty and two other actors joined fans in Baltimore for the first convention dedicated soley to The Invisible Man; the only compensation they accepted was an invitation to the dance and costume party that night.
The Invisible Man himself, Darien Fawkes (actor Vincent Ventresca) once paraphrased Margaret Thatcher's observation that, "It's the female of the species which defends when attacked." With this is mind, it should not be surprising that I-Man fans, who are predominantly women, are on a crusade. We have connected to the people and the show on such a personal level, that an attack on I-Man is an attack on us. Sci-Fi didn't just cancel a t.v. show, they took something which is ours. We will do what it takes to get it back.
In the words of Bobby Hobbes, "There is no backspace in combat, my friend." Well said, soldier.
Did TPTB Notice the Roswell Awards?
You bet! While voting was still going on one I-Man got an e-mail from Chrissys.com regarding this very topic. While I do not have permission to quote directly, the message stated that someone from the Sci-Fi Channel had e-mailed Chrissy's to get the address for the site. I am not sure how they heard about it, but it seems clear they took notice of the
Awards, and, now that it is over, they know exactly who won. This contact at Chrissy's went on to say that some guest stars had been e-mailing them, because they had heard they could get copies of the episodes they were in from the web site. So, this is definitely a positive step towards getting The Invisible Man back! Great job, everyone!
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