Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, October 29, 1994 TAG: 9411010129
SECTION: SPECTATOR PAGE: S-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LINDA SHRIEVES ORLANDO SENTINEL
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
Soon, the rest of the world discovered ``Seinfeld'' - and the show surged ahead in the Nielsen ratings.
Now another show is making its way from the backwaters of cult status into the mainstream. It's ``The X-Files,'' the Fox sci-fi show that has become a Friday-night ritual for die-hard fans, who call themselves X-Philes.
The show isn't about to threaten ``Roseanne'' or ``Seinfeld'' - on the Fox network, which has fewer affiliates than the Big Three networks, even the most popular shows appear in the middle of the ratings.
But it is hot enough that during November, Fox will repeat one of last season's ``X-Files'' episodes every Sunday from 7 to 8 p.m. On Nov. 6, newcomers to the series can tune in to catch the pilot episode.
What is it that has the show reaping ratings in the same league with Fox's stalwarts, ``The Simpsons'' and ``Melrose Place''?
The year-old ``X-Files'' centers on FBI agents Fox Mulder (played by David Duchovny) and Dana Scully (Gillian Anderson), who are teamed to investigate unsolved cases within the bureau. The cases, however, are not the fodder of standard cop shows.
In one episode, the agents tried to track down a genetically mutated serial killer who emerges every 30 years from hibernation and must consume five human livers. In recent weeks, they have investigated a gigantic fluke-like creature living in the sewers of a small town and then moved on to another town where people were mysteriously slaughtering their neighbors and friends because they began seeing the words ``Kill 'em all'' in the LED readouts of digital clocks, computers and even elevators.
If it sounds very ``Twilight Zone,'' it is. That's why fans like it. They say ``The X-Files''' blend of science fiction and horror makes it one of the most unusual shows on television.
For the Fox network and the show's producers, that kind of word-of-mouth publicity has been a pleasant surprise. Last season, ``The X-Files'' averaged a 12 share, meaning that 12 percent of the viewing audience tuned in. This season, 17 percent of the households watching TV at 9 on Fridays were watching ``The X-Files.''
Among adults 18 to 49 - the group that advertisers crave - the show ranks first in its time period and is seen by 26 percent of those adults watching TV. But the core audience is men between 18 and 34.
``I think this is getting out of the cult phase fast, judging on the numbers,'' said the show's publicist, Kimberly Wilder-Lee.
Although it would be easy to lump the show's fans into the science fiction/``Star Trek'' crowd, it's not that simple.
Some are Trekkers; others were ``Twin Peaks'' aficionados who tuned in to watch Duchovny, who appeared in Peaks as ``Dennis/Denise,'' the transvestite detective. ``X-Files'' writers also have included inside jokes for attentive Peaks fans, including a poster of murder victim Laura Palmer that hung above Mulder's desk in the premiere of ``The X-Files.''
But if you want to meet and greet X-Philes, do what the show's producers and writers do: Get on the Internet.
Shortly after ``The X-Files'' premiered, its fans began hitting their computers, chatting about the show on computer bulletin boards.
Now the Delphi and Prodigy on-line services have devoted bulletin boards to the show. ``We've only had the bulletin board a few months,'' said Delphi spokeswoman Nancy Morrisroe, ``but it has really taken off. It gets a couple of hundred postings a day.''
Delphi is officially linked to the show, allowing the service to hold forums in which viewers can ask questions of the show's producers. Delphi customers also can order ``X-Files'' merchandise on-line.
``The X-Files'' airs Fridays at 9 p.m. on WJPR/WFXR-Channel 21/27.
X-Trivia
Q: What is Agent Mulder's first name?
A: Fox.
Q: Why does Mulder believe in the paranormal?
A: His sister disappeared when he was a child and Mulder believes she was abducted by aliens.
Q: What federal agency do Mulder and Agent Dana Scully work for?
A: FBI.
Q: Why did FBI bigwigs assign Scully to work with Mulder?
A: They thought that Scully, a medical school graduate, would be able to reason scientifically with Mulder.
Q: What one-liner is part of the opening credits?
A: ``The truth is out there.''
Q: What is Mulder's computer log-on?
A: TRUSTNO1
by CNB