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The New York Post's Page Six
August 23, 2005
Rally for Doomed "Alias" Star
Fans of Michael Vartan are frantically campaigning to save his character in ABC's "Alias" from being killed off - although it might already be too late.
Devotees of the handsome actor believe his character, Vaughn, is doomed now that his former girlfriend Jennifer Garner, the show's leading star, is married to Ben Affleck and pregnant.
After Garner split from her ex-hubby Scott Foley in March 2004, she dated Vartan for several months before ditching him for Affleck. Tension on the set was said to be high. Some believe Garner now wants Vartan gone and has pressured producers to write him out of the series.
ABC is keeping tight-lipped and refuses to disclose any details about the new season.
Now comes word from an insider that Aug. 17 was Vartan's last day of shooting, when he was supposedly killed off. Fans have banded together to create mvcampaign.com to lobby for his resurrection.
One insider said: "Many of Michael's fans feel he is being treated very poorly by ABC. He has always been a big promoter of the show, not to mention a great guy, and to have him fired in what is probably the last year of the show is unbelievable."
The Web site notes: "For the past four years many of us have invested our time, emotions and money in support of 'Alias' ... Now, as we are about to venture into the fifth season, we find out that we may be losing one of the most integral, beloved, and interesting characters on the show.
"Many of us feel that if this were to occur, it would be showing the show, the viewers, and Mr. Vartan a huge lack of both respect and loyalty. After four years, we feel [they] deserve far more. So, we have decided to take action and do something to express our feelings to ABC."
A group of fans calling themselves "The Vartan Hos" is supporting the Web site.
ABC has been deluged with letters, e-mails and phone calls from the campaign, a network insider moaned, while the campaign is also raising money to place an ad in Variety or the Hollywood Reporter.
A rep for ABC said: "We don't comment on plots. We encourage viewers to tune in and we promise they won't be disappointed." Vartan's rep didn't return calls.
© The New York Post 2005
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