Acapulco H.E.A.T.

Acapulco H.E.A.T. was a 1993 syndicated television series. It followed the adventures of the Hemisphere Emergency Action Team (H.E.A.T.), a group of top-secret agents based in Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco in Mexico, recruited by "C-5", a secret, inter-governmental coalition to fight terrorism and other international crimes. To keep a low profile, the team posed as models and photographers representing a beach-fashion business. The show returned for a second season (production started in 1996) with a new and smaller cast; it aired in Europe in 1997, and in the USA during 1998–99.

Acapulco H.E.A.T.
Acapulco H.E.A.T. title, as it appeared during the first season
Created byMax A. Keller & Micheline H. Keller
StarringCatherine Oxenberg
Brendan Kelly
John Vernon
Fabio Lanzoni
Lydie Denier
Alison Armitage
Christa Sauls
Michael Worth
Holly Floria
Graham Heywood
Spencer Rochfort
Randy Vasquez
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes48
Production
Production locationsPuerto Vallarta, Mexico
Running time60 minutes
Production companiesBalenciaga Productions
M6 Films
CNC
Les Films du Triangle
Film Groupe S. A. (1993–94)
France Triangle Films (1996)
Max Keller & Micheline Keller Productions
DistributorAll American Television
(1993-1994)
Western International Syndication
(1998-1999)
Release
Original networkSyndication (United States)
M6 (France)
Original releaseSeptember 28, 1993 (1993-09-28) 
June 5, 1999 (1999-06-05)

Synopsis

Led by Ashley Hunter-Coddington (Catherine Oxenberg), a former MI6 operative, and Mike Savage (Brendan Kelly), a former CIA agent, the H.E.A.T. members fight international terrorism and other crimes. They receive their assignments from "Mr. Smith" (John Vernon), the mysterious head of C-5, a secret governmental organization linked to the United Nations. The team operates from both Puerto Vallarta, Mexico and internationally under the 'cover' of a beach fashion enterprise.[1] The team's members are: Catherine "Cat" Avery Pascal (Alison Armitage), a former cat-burglar who had to choose between life imprisonment and working in H.E.A.T. for a year in order to have a "clean-slate"; Tommy Chase (Michael Worth), a martial arts expert with a deep understanding of human psychology; Brett Richardson (Spencer Rochfort), a former Navy SEAL with a vast knowledge of explosives; Krissie Valentine (Holly Floria), a computer genius who can do anything with computers, no matter the situation and, who eventually becomes romantically involved with teammate, Marcos Chavez (Randy Vasquez), a member of Mexico's Los Federales, and whose local contacts in their base-of-operations prove very helpful; Arthur Small (Graham Heywood), owner of Acapulco H.E.A.T. Beach Fashion who manages both the team's logistics and its members' false identities in the "Beach Fashion Enterprise" and, Claudio Divanti (Fabio), owner of the hotel where the team is headquartered.

Catherine ("Cat") Avery Pascal and Tommy Chase are the only original characters to return in Season Two. The Season Two storyline explained the time gap (about 3 years) between seasons by stating that the (Season One) H.E.A.T. team had disbanded a few years after the events of Season One. In the interim, "Cat" became a beach-fashion photographer, and Tommy became a "lone wolf". The two were recruited by ex-spy Nicole Bernard (Lydie Denier) and her protégée, Joanna Barnes (Christa Sauls) a computer expert. They continued fighting international crime backed by private investors; their "cover": owners of a beach-fashion boutique ("Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashion").[2]

Production

The show initially produced only one season (1993–94). Following a two-year hiatus, Acapulco H.E.A.T. was brought back for a second season with a mostly new cast.[3] This second season was produced in 1996 for worldwide distribution but also aired in the U.S. during the 1998–99 television season.[3] A total of 48 episodes were made and have developed a fan base and international audience. The series continues to be broadcast on cable and streaming channels. A feature film is in development based on the series and several major studios are considering the project for production.

The show had a memorable theme song, "I Feel the Heat,"[4] sung by Sable Jeffries (first season) and Pepper Mashay (second season).

Cast and characters

Season 1 (1993–94)

  • Ashley Hunter-Coddington (Catherine Oxenberg) – A former British MI6 operative and one of the co-leaders of the H.E.A.T. team. She is the daughter of an ambassador. Her mother was killed by Red Brigade members while she was still a child. This traumatic event triggered the need to become a government agent. Her codename is "Sarong" and she worked undercover as a fashion photographer and beach fashion designer.
  • Michael "Mike" Savage (Brendan Kelly) – A former CIA agent and co-leader of the H.E.A.T. team. He also posed as a photographer for the agency and his codename is "Platform".
  • Catherine (Cat) Avery Pascal (Alison Armitage) – A French ex-cat burglar, who was required to join the team after being arrested for her crimes. She had to stay with the team for a year in order to avoid prison sentence. She eventually accepted that being on the side of justice was far better. She poses as one of the models of the agency and her codename is "High Dive".
  • Brett Richardson (Spencer Rochfort) – A former Navy SEAL and the team's weapons and explosive expert. Posed as one of the team's models and his codename is "Deep End".
  • Krissie Valentine (Holly Floria) – A computer expert. She provides the team with useful information and research for their missions. Poses undercover as one of the models of the agency and, through the season, got romantically involved with Marcos. Her codename is "Spring Board".
  • Marcos Chavez (Randy Vasquez) – A member of the Federales in Mexico and an expert in undercover missions. He was romantically involved with Krissie. He poses as the one responsible for providing transportation for the equipment the team uses during their work in fashion (and actually, with the equipment used on their missions). Most of his family members have served as providers of useful information. His codename is "Agua Azul".
  • Tommy Chase (Michael Worth) – A government member responsible for personality analyses. He is an expert in martial arts and has the "zen warrior" mentality. Poses as one of the team male models; his codename is "Backflip".
  • Arthur Small (Graham Heywood) – Owner of the beach fashion enterprise, Acapulco Heat beach fashion, which served has the cover for the H.E.A.T. members. Also helped sort out the logistics of each mission.
  • Claudio Divanti (Fabio) – Owner of the hotel where the team have their headquarters. Used to flirt with Ashley, much to Mike's dislike.
  • Mr. Smith (John Vernon) – One of the government representatives of C-5, a secret coalition that tasks H.E.A.T. with their missions. C-5 was composed by various members of the U.N. He is seen only via video link.

Season 2 (1998–99)

  • Catherine (Cat) Avery Pascal (Alison Armitage) – Between the first and second seasons, she became a beach-fashion photographer. As one of the original members of the H.E.A.T. team, she now had to deal with the responsibility of being her own boss. Her new cover was of one of the owners of a small boutique called "Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashions".
  • Tommy Chase (Michael Worth) – Between the first and second seasons, he started seeing the world with more cynical eyes. He launched a personal fight against drug dealers and small crime. He is the other original member of the H.E.A.T. team to join the new team incarnation. His new cover was of an employee of the small boutique "Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashions".
  • Nicole Bernard (Lydie Denier) – A former French spy that re-organized the H.E.A.T. team to help her track a stolen necklace, but decided to keep working with them. Her cover was of one of the owners of a small boutique called "Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashions". Very serious, she has trouble trusting people, though she has plenty of trust in her new allies.
  • Joanna Barnes (Christa Sauls) – The new computer expert of the team and a protégée of Nicole. She can do anything with a computer, though she can never explain how or what she did. Her cover was of one of the employees of the small boutique "Acapulco HEAT Beach Fashions". Though naive, she struggles to keep up a serious appearance.

In Season 2 episode 'Blood Ties', original cast members from Season 1, Spencer Rochfort and Randy Vazquez, returned for a special appearance as their characters Brett Richardson and Marcos Chavez.

Notable guest stars

Episodes

SeasonEpisodesOriginally aired
First airedLast aired
122September 28, 1993 (1993-09-28)May 21, 1994 (1994-05-21)
226September 23, 1998 (1998-09-23)June 5, 1999 (1999-06-05)

Season 1 (1993–94)

The first season was produced for syndication in the United States for the 1993–94 television season.

List of Acapulco H.E.A.T. season 1 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title[5]Directed by[5]Written byOriginal air dateProd.
code[5]
1
2
1
2
"Code Name: Checkmate (Parts 1 & 2)"Kevin James DobsonMolly Glenmore & Steve Hayes & Daniel FicaSeptember 25, 1993 (1993-09-25)101–102
33"Code Name: Honeymoon Lost"Sidney HayersSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaOctober 9, 1993 (1993-10-09)103
44"Code Name: Strange Bedfellow"Henri SafranSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaOctober 16, 1993 (1993-10-16)109
55"Code Name: Million Dollar Ladies"
"Vanished"
Sidney HayesSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaOctober 23, 1993 (1993-10-23)111
66"Code Name: Feminine Institution"Harry AmbroseSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaOctober 30, 1993 (1993-10-30)105
77"Code Name: Desert Dragon"Harry AmbroseSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaNovember 6, 1993 (1993-11-06)112
88"Code Name: Archangel"Henri SafranMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaNovember 13, 1993 (1993-11-13)104
99"Code Name: Arabesque"Sidney HayersMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaNovember 20, 1993 (1993-11-20)107
1010"Code Name: Body Double"Harry AmbroseSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaNovember 27, 1993 (1993-11-27)113
1111"Code Name: Perfect Specimen"Harry AmbroseSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaDecember 4, 1993 (1993-12-04)106
1212"Code Name: Easy Riders"Sidney HayersSidney Hayers & Daniel FicaJanuary 22, 1994 (1994-01-22)115
1313"Code Name: Rip Van Winkle"Sidney HayersMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaJanuary 29, 1994 (1994-01-29)114
1414"Code Name: The Stalking Horse"Sidney HayersDaniel FicaFebruary 5, 1994 (1994-02-05)119
1515"Code Name: Frame-Up"Sidney HayersSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaFebruary 12, 1994 (1994-02-12)108
1616"Code Name: Ghosts"Sidney HayersSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaFebruary 19, 1994 (1994-02-19)116
1717"Code Name: Stranded"Sidney HayersSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaFebruary 26, 1994 (1994-02-26)120
1818"Code Name: Shamrock"Harry AmbroseSteve Hayes & Daniel FicaMarch 5, 1994 (1994-03-05)110
1919"Code Name: Stalemate – Part 1"Harry AmbroseMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaApril 30, 1994 (1994-04-30)117
2020"Code Name: Stalemate – Part 2"Harry AmbroseMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaMay 7, 1994 (1994-05-07)118
2121"Code Name: Deep Six"Sidney HayersStory by: Jon Hardy & J. Barry Herron
Teleplay by: Steve Hayes & Daniel Fica
May 14, 1994 (1994-05-14)121
2222"Code Name: Assassin"Harry AmbroseMolly Glenmore & Daniel FicaMay 21, 1994 (1994-05-21)122

Season 2 (1998–99)

The second season was produced in 1996 for European distribution and airing in 1997, but was not syndicated in the United States until the 1998–99 television season. The dates listed below are the U.S. airdates.

List of Acapulco H.E.A.T. season 2 episodes
No.
overall
No. in
season
Title[5]Directed byOriginal air date (U.S.)Prod.
code[5]
231"Code Name: The Raven (Part 1)"
Henri SafranSeptember 23, 1998 (1998-09-23)201
242"Code Name: The Raven (Part 2)"Henri SafranSeptember 30, 1998 (1998-09-30)202
253"Code Name: Spear of Destiny"Frank CharlesOctober 7, 1998 (1998-10-07)208
264"Code Name: Day of the Dead"Henri SafranOctober 14, 1998 (1998-10-14)218
275"Code Name: Dream Girl"Peter GeorgeOctober 21, 1998 (1998-10-21)209
286"Code Name: The Killing Club"Henri SafranOctober 28, 1998 (1998-10-28)206
297"Code Name: Mr. Paradise"Brianne MurphyNovember 4, 1998 (1998-11-04)213
308"Code Name: The Mouse That Squeaked"Brianne MurphyNovember 11, 1998 (1998-11-11)221
319"Code Name: Easy Green"Frank CharlesNovember 18, 1998 (1998-11-18)203
3210"Code Name: Dangerous Bait"Frank CharlesNovember 25, 1998 (1998-11-25)205
3311"Code Name: Million Dollar Man"Brianne MurphyDecember 2, 1998 (1998-12-02)223
3412"Code Name: Death of a Friendship"Henri SafranJanuary 23, 1999 (1999-01-23)216
3513"Code Name: Sister Soothsayer"Frank CharlesJanuary 30, 1999 (1999-01-30)207
3614"Code Name: Hot Chains"Brianne MurphyFebruary 6, 1999 (1999-02-06)217
3715"Code Name: Till Death Do Us Part"Henri SafranFebruary 13, 1999 (1999-02-13)212
3816"Code Name: Cumshaw"Brianne MurphyFebruary 20, 1999 (1999-02-20)211
3917"Code Name: Phantom"Henri SafranFebruary 27, 1999 (1999-02-27)224
4018"Code Name: Bucket of Blood"Henri SafranMarch 6, 1999 (1999-03-06)210
4119"Code Name: Cult Zero"Henri SafranMarch 13, 1999 (1999-03-13)214
4220"Code Name: Blood Ties"Henri SafranApril 24, 1999 (1999-04-24)215
4321"Code Name: Matador"Henri SafranMay 1, 1999 (1999-05-01)222
4422"Code Name: Juice"Henri SafranMay 8, 1999 (1999-05-08)204
4523"Code Name: Lollipop, Lollipop"Brianne MurphyMay 15, 1999 (1999-05-15)219
4624"Code Name: The Stolen Leg"Peter GeorgeMay 22, 1999 (1999-05-22)220
4725"Code Name: Flight 401"Henri SafranMay 29, 1999 (1999-05-29)225
4826"Code Name: I Remember"Henri SafranJune 5, 1999 (1999-06-05)226

Home media

Mill Creek Entertainment released the entire series on DVD in Region 1 in 2006. On May 6, 2008, Mill Creek Entertainment released Acapulco H.E.A.T.- The Complete series, an 11-disc boxset featuring all 48 episodes of the series.

As of 2010, these releases have been discontinued and are out of print. As of 2014, all episodes from season 1 can be watched on YouTube, at the Keller Entertainment Group official Acapulco H.E.A.T. channel.

  • First season DVDs: contain all episodes, with dual soundtrack (English and Spanish); also include several extras, such as promotional pictures, interviews and bios of the cast, and some TV promos.
  • Second season DVDs: contain all episodes, with dual soundtrack (English and Spanish); also include several extras, such as promotional pictures, cast bios, interviews with Michael Worth and Lydie Denier, and a TV promo. The first and second episode contain production commentaries by Worth.
DVD name Ep # Release date
Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete First Season 22 June 27, 2006
Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete Second and Final Season 26 October 31, 2006
Acapulco H.E.A.T.: The Complete Series 48 May 6, 2008

References

  1. Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows 1946–Present (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine Books. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
  2. Terrace, Vincent (2009). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2007 (Volume 1). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. ISBN 978-0-7864-3305-6.
  3. "The 'H.E.A.T.' is on." Houston Chronicle, 8 Nov. 1998, 2 Star, Television, p. 4. NewsBank, infoweb.newsbank.com/resources/doc/nb/news/0ED7B9D2827625FB?p=AWNB. Accessed 29 Apr. 2018.
  4. "Acapulco H.E.A.T. (Season 1) Intro - YouTube". YouTube. Retrieved 16 September 2014.
  5. From the United States Copyright Office catalog: "Public Catalog - Copyright Catalog (1978 to present) - Basic Search [search 'Title': "Acapulco HEAT"]". United States Copyright Office. Retrieved 2016-06-20.
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